Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to Normalize Aviation Policy... Flight Restrictions at Incheon Airport to be Lifted as Early as July

As the COVID-19 pandemic subsides and demand for overseas travel increases, the threat of imported COVID-19 variants and monkeypox is gradually rising. On the 26th, at the departure hall of Terminal 1 at Incheon International Airport, an airline staff member wearing protective clothing is guiding passengers heading to China. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] International flight-related aviation policies are expected to return to pre-COVID-19 normal as early as July.

According to government officials on the 31st, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is promoting the normalization of aviation policies, including lifting the curfew on operations at Incheon International Airport.

The Ministry initially announced a phased recovery plan for international flights in April this year, stating that aviation policies would normalize during the endemic phase (when an infectious disease becomes endemic), but it plans to advance the implementation timeline ahead of schedule.

This appears to be a measure to stabilize the rapidly rising airfares recently. As quarantine measures such as exemption from quarantine for arrivals have been eased, international passenger demand has increased, leading to a shortage of seat supply and a sharp rise in ticket prices.

The Ministry plans to lift the Incheon Airport curfew, currently from 8 PM to 5 AM, to increase international flight operations. Operating hours at regional airports will also be normalized.

Once normalization is achieved, Incheon Airport will operate 24 hours a day, and the hourly arrival flight limit will return to the pre-COVID-19 level of around 40 flights. Correspondingly, the arrival management system, including COVID-19 testing, is expected to change.

It is also expected that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will independently decide the schedule for international regular flights, which has been approved monthly in consultation with quarantine authorities.

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