"Departing from Pohang Airport!", Pohang-Gimpo Route Increased from March 27

Pohang Airport to Increase Pohang-Gimpo Route to 2 Round Trips per Day Starting March 27

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Dong-guk] Pohang City in Gyeongbuk announced that the Pohang-Gimpo route at Pohang Airport will be increased to 2 round trips per day starting March 27.

Pohang Airport had its air route blocked for a while after Korean Air withdrew in February 2020, but with the cooperation of Gyeongsangbuk-do, Pohang City, and Gyeongju City, Jin Air launched the Pohang-Gimpo route (1 round trip per day, 2 flights) and the Pohang-Jeju route (2 round trips per day, 4 flights) in August 2020, and they have been operating since then.

Starting July 14, Pohang Airport will change its name to Pohang-Gyeongju Airport to prepare for expanding demand from tourists from the Seoul metropolitan area, and to resolve inconveniences faced by local residents due to the lack of morning flights to the metropolitan area, it announced plans to expand the Pohang-Gimpo route.

Originally, the Pohang-Gimpo route had only one flight departing Pohang at 7:20 PM and arriving at Gimpo at 8:20 PM, but from the 27th, an additional flight departing at 10:15 AM and arriving at 11:15 AM will be added, and the existing flight time will be changed to depart at 7:40 PM and arrive at 8:40 PM.

For the Gimpo-Pohang route, currently there is one flight departing Gimpo at 8:25 AM and arriving at Pohang at 9:25 AM; the operating times will be changed and increased to 8:40 AM?9:40 AM and 2:20 PM?3:20 PM.

Pohang Airport has seen a remarkable increase in the number of flights and passengers compared to before Jin Air’s launch in 2019 (1,162 flights, 93,769 passengers) to 2021 (1,868 flights, 158,927 passengers), greatly improving the convenience of air travel for local residents. (Operations were suspended from February to July 2020 due to Korean Air’s withdrawal)

However, the load factor remains low due to the COVID-19 situation. (2019 overall load factor 59.7%, Gimpo load factor 54.8%, Jeju load factor 81.6%; 2021 overall load factor 44.3%, Gimpo load factor 38%, Jeju load factor 48.3%)

Although the airline was somewhat reluctant to increase flights on the Gimpo route due to poor load factors and worsened business conditions caused by COVID-19, Pohang City actively persuaded them by emphasizing the airport name change and local residents’ difficulties, leading to the decision to increase flights.

Mayor Lee Kang-deok of Pohang said, “The increase in the Pohang-Gimpo route is expected to expand demand from tourists coming from the metropolitan area to Pohang and Gyeongju and greatly contribute to improving the convenience of air route use for local residents. We sincerely thank Jin Air for deciding to increase flights despite the difficult business environment.”

The mayor added, “Considering the various benefits such as enhancing the city brand effect by having an airport in our region and reducing costs and time for local residents, we ask for the continued interest and support of local residents so that Pohang-Gyeongju Airport can be stably maintained in the future.”

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