Airline Industry "Anxious Even During Lunar New Year Peak"... Minimizing Additional Flights Due to Omicron

On the 9th, as the spread of COVID-19 continues, citizens are waiting to be tested at the testing center set up in the outdoor space on the west side of the basement level 1 of Terminal 2 at Incheon International Airport. Photo by Mun Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Dongwoo Lee] Due to the spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant, more companies are minimizing or postponing the increase of flight routes during the Lunar New Year holiday early next year. Following the freeze in overseas travel sentiment during the year-end peak season caused by Omicron fears, concerns are growing that even domestic passenger demand during the Lunar New Year holiday may stagnate.

According to the aviation industry on the 21st, Korean Air will operate a total of 29 additional flights on two routes during the Lunar New Year holiday period next year (January 27 to February 2): Gimpo-Jeju (7 flights) and Gimpo-Busan (22 flights). The temporary Cheongju-Jeju route operated during last year’s Lunar New Year holiday before the domestic spread of COVID-19 has been excluded this time.

Asiana Airlines will operate 13 temporary flights on three routes from January 28 to February 2 next year: Gimpo-Jeju (5 flights), Gimpo-Gwangju (6 flights), and Gimpo-Yeosu (2 flights). Compared to last year, the Gwangju and Jeju routes have slightly increased.

Low-cost carriers (LCCs) are either postponing plans to operate irregular flights during the Lunar New Year holiday or delaying final decisions.

Jeju Air and T'way Air have stated that they will decide on future temporary flight operations after reviewing the COVID-19 situation. However, if the current rapid increase in confirmed cases continues, it is known that they are also keeping open the possibility of temporarily suspending temporary flights this year.

Jin Air, which minimizes temporary flights during the Lunar New Year holiday every year, has decided to maintain the currently operated domestic routes this year as well. Since they are focusing flights on domestic routes, they announced that there are no plans to expand additional temporary flights.

Air Seoul and Air Busan are also closely monitoring the domestic COVID-19 confirmed case situation. They are reviewing plans to operate temporary flights on some major routes during the Lunar New Year holiday, but they explained that the final approval will be made flexibly over time.

An aviation industry official said, "We expected the industry to regain momentum as preparations were underway to resume international flights at the end of the year, but all plans have been halted due to the spread of Omicron," adding, "If the government continues to strengthen quarantine measures, there are concerns that securing passenger numbers during next year’s Lunar New Year holiday will become increasingly difficult."

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