Domestic Airlines Boost China-Japan Routes
Korean Airlines and Others Increase Flights to China and Japan; 128 Routes Planned
Airlines are expanding routes in response to increased demand and profitability.
SEOUL, March 29, 2025 – Several South Korean airlines will increase their flights to China and Japan during the summer schedule, which runs from March 30 to October 25.
This strategy aims to boost profitability by capitalizing on high passenger load factors, as these destinations are expected to attract travelers seeking relatively affordable travel options.
According to data released March 30, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport reports that domestic airports will operate 128 routes to China and Japan this summer. this is an increase of 13 routes compared to the 115 offered last year.
Of the 10 airlines currently providing passenger service, all except air Premia, which focuses on long-range routes, will either increase flights or launch new routes to China or Japan.
Korean Air will increase the frequency of its Incheon-Fuzhou route, launched late last year, from three times a week to four. This adjustment brings Korean Air’s operations to approximately 90% of its 2019 levels, with 195 weekly flights planned for this summer. The airline will also operate the Incheon-Kobe route twice a week starting April 18.
Asiana Airlines launched daily flights (seven times a week) from Incheon to Chongqing and Chengdu. The Incheon-Dalian route will increase from seven to 10 times a week, and the Incheon-Yanji route will expand from five to seven times a week, with a further increase to eight times a week starting April 28. Flights from Incheon to Changchun will increase from four to nine times a week, and Incheon-Changsha will increase from four to five times a week.
Jeju Airlines is resuming operations on the Jeju-Jeju’s Sky Road route with two flights per week. The Incheon-Osaka route, which operated 22 to 27 times a week during last year’s summer schedule, will increase to 28 times this year. The Incheon-Matsuyama route will double to 14 times a week.
T’way Air will launch flights from Cheongju and Daegu three times a week on April 21 and 22, respectively. Starting May 22, flights on the Incheon route will operate three times a week.
Jin Air will be the sole operator on the Ishigaki, Japan, route from Busan, offering five flights a week starting May 3. Busan-Nagoya and Busan-Fukuoka routes will also resume with seven flights per week.
Air Busan will increase the frequency of the Busan-Yanji route from three to six times a week and expand long-term routes from four to six times a week. The Busan-xi’an route will be reinstated with two flights per week.
Eastar jet will resume operations on the Jeju-shanghai (seven times a week) and Cheongju-zhangjiajie (four times a week) routes, which were suspended last year.
Aero K will launch flights to smaller cities such as ibaraki, Obihiro, Kita Kyushu, and shizuoka from Cheongju, and also flights to Bali, Kunming, Chengdu, Huangshan, and Ordos. From Incheon, it will operate flights to major cities like Tokyo and Osaka.
Air Seoul will increase the frequency of its Incheon-Yonago route from three to five times a week, starting march 31.
The aviation industry anticipates continued popularity for flights to China and Japan during the summer period. Last year,japan accounted for 28.3% of international passengers (2.514 million), while China accounted for 15.5% (1.377 million), ranking first and second among individual countries.
According to an industry official, china is expected to remain a popular destination for budget travelers following the implementation of the Korean non-visa policy at the end of last year.
Korean Airlines and Others Increase Flights to China and Japan
Are Korean Airlines Increasing Flights to China and Japan?
Yes, several South Korean airlines are increasing their flights to China and Japan. This expansion is part of their summer schedule, running from March 30 to October 25. This strategic move aims to capitalize on high passenger load factors and cater to travelers looking for affordable travel options.
Which Airlines are Increasing Flights?
the following airlines are either increasing flights or launching new routes to China or Japan:
Korean Air
Asiana Airlines
jeju Airlines
T’way Air
Jin Air
Air Busan
Eastar Jet
Aero K
Air Seoul
Why are Airlines Increasing Flights to China and Japan?
The increase in flights is primarily due to:
High Demand: These destinations are popular, attracting a significant number of travelers.
Profitability: Airlines aim to boost profitability by maximizing passenger load factors.
Affordable Travel: China and Japan offer relatively affordable travel options, making them attractive to budget travelers.
Which Routes are affected?
Here’s a breakdown of some of the specific route changes:
Korean Air:
Incheon-Fuzhou: Increased from three to four times a week.
Incheon-Kobe: Operates twice a week starting April 18.
Korean Air’s operations are approximately 90% of it’s 2019 levels, with 195 weekly flights planned for this summer
Asiana Airlines:
Incheon-Chongqing and Chengdu: Daily flights (seven times a week)
Incheon-Dalian: Increased from seven to 10 times a week.
Incheon-Yanji: Expanded from five to seven times a week, with further increase to eight times a week starting April 28.
Incheon-Changchun: Increase from four to nine times a week.
Incheon-Changsha: increase from four to five times a week.
Jeju Airlines:
Jeju-Jeju’s Sky Road route: Resuming operations with two flights per week.
Incheon-Osaka: Increased from 22 to 27 times a week last year to 28 times this year.
Incheon-Matsuyama: Doubled to 14 times a week.
T’way Air:
New flights from Cheongju and Daegu: Three times a week on April 21 and 22, respectively.
Incheon route: Operates three times a week starting May 22.
Jin Air:
Busan-Ishigaki: Sole operator, offering five flights a week starting May 3.
Busan-Nagoya and Busan-Fukuoka: Resume with seven flights per week.
Air Busan:
Busan-Yanji: Increased from three to six times a week.
Long-term routes: expanded from four to six times a week.
Busan-Xi’an: Reinstated with two flights per week.
Eastar Jet:
Jeju-Shanghai: Resuming operations (seven times a week).
Cheongju-zhangjiajie: Resuming operations (four times a week).
Aero K:
New flights to smaller cities: Ibaraki, Obihiro, kita Kyushu, and Shizuoka from Cheongju.
New routes to Bali, Kunming, Chengdu, Huangshan, and Ordos.
Operates flights to major cities like Tokyo and Osaka from Incheon.
air Seoul:
Incheon-Yonago: Increased from three to five times a week starting March 31.
What is the Overall Increase in Routes?
domestic airports will operate 128 routes to China and Japan this summer, an increase of 13 routes compared to the 115 offered last year.
How Popular Were China and japan for Travel Last Year?
Japan was the first and China the second for international passengers out of Korea last year.
Japan: Accounted for 28.3% of international passengers (2.514 million).
* China: accounted for 15.5% of international passengers (1.377 million).
Summary of Route Expansions
| Airline | Route | Frequency Change | Notes |
| :————- | :————————- | :—————————————- | :—————————————— |
| Korean Air | Incheon-Fuzhou | Increase from 3 to 4 times a week | 195 weekly flights in total |
| Asiana Airlines | Incheon-Chongqing | Daily Flights | |
| Jeju Airlines | Incheon-Osaka | Increase from 22-27 to 28 times a week | |
| T’way Air | Cheongju/Daegu | New flights (3 times a week) | |
| Jin Air | Busan-Ishigaki | 5 flights a week | |
| Air Busan | Busan-Yanji | Increase from 3 to 6 times a week | |
| Eastar Jet | jeju-shanghai | Resuming operations (7 times a week) | |
| Aero K | Various | New routes to smaller cities | |
| Air Seoul | Incheon-Yonago | Increase from 3 to 5 times a week | |