Korean Air Operates International Sightseeing Flights... "Consulting with Agencies on Sales Timing"

[Asia Economy Reporter Dongwoo Lee] Korean Air is preparing to operate international sightseeing flights.

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the aviation industry on the 3rd, Korean Air plans to operate an international sightseeing flight that flies over Japanese airspace and returns on the 27th of this month.

If Korean Air decides to operate, it will mean that the largest airline in the industry enters the sightseeing flight market just two months after the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport first granted permission for international sightseeing flights to domestic airlines in December last year.

The aviation industry has been operating limited domestic sightseeing flights targeting high school and university students majoring in aviation and tourism, mainly by low-cost carriers (LCCs), since August last year. From October last year, domestic sightseeing flights for the general public began, and from December, international flights allowing duty-free purchases also started.

Korean Air had been passive about operating sightseeing flights considering profitability and the spread of COVID-19, but it is understood to have followed the slow recovery trend of passenger demand.

Korean Air stated, "We are currently taking the necessary preparation steps to operate sightseeing charter flights, and the sales timing is under discussion with agencies and others."

A total of 23 flights have been approved by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport for the third international sightseeing flight operation period (February 1?28). Compared to the first operation period (December 12 last month to February 2 this month) with 16 flights and the second operation period (January 9?31) with 12 flights, the number of flights has increased.

The boarding rate for sightseeing flights is also steadily increasing. Although the number of passengers last month was 1,212, down from 1,520 in December last year, the average boarding rate rose to 75.2% from 49% in December. The boarding rate is based on the number of seats actually available for boarding, excluding quarantine and distancing spaces.

It is known that competition among airlines to apply for sightseeing flight permits was fierce. Since airlines mainly applied for sightseeing flights on weekends, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport selected some airlines through a lottery.

Asiana Airlines was approved for sightseeing flights on the 13th, 14th, 21st, and 28th; Jin Air on the 6th, 7th, and 11th; Jeju Air on the 6th, 19th (2 flights), and 26th (2 flights); T'way Air on the 13th and 28th; Air Busan on the 6th, 13th, 17th, 20th, 24th, and 27th; and Air Seoul on the 20th and 21st. Actual operation may vary depending on airline circumstances.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.