Incheon-Wuhan Flight Operations Fully Suspended

Measures in Response to the Spread of 'Wuhan Pneumonia' Caused by the Novel Coronavirus

Passengers on a flight departing from Shanghai to Wuhan on the 21st are wearing masks to prevent infection from the novel coronavirus. (Image source=Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] As the novel coronavirus infection originating in Wuhan, China, known as 'Wuhan pneumonia,' spreads, international flights between Korea and Wuhan have been completely suspended.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 23rd that international flights between Korea and Wuhan, China, will be suspended.

The Incheon-Wuhan route is operated by Korean Air and China Southern Airlines. Currently, Korean Air operates four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, while China Southern Airlines operates four times a week on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Initially, T'way Air planned to launch a new route operating twice a week on Tuesdays and Saturdays starting from the 21st, but decided not to operate due to the spread of Wuhan pneumonia.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is requesting airlines flying to Wuhan and other regions in China to cooperate by changing tickets for suspected patients, quarantine subjects, and their companions, as well as broadcasting announcements inside aircraft. The situation of air routes between Korea and China is also being closely monitored.

Additionally, measures such as broadcasting announcements and deploying Chinese interpreters at domestic airports including Incheon International Airport are being implemented, and a close cooperation system with quarantine authorities and related ministries will be maintained to prevent the domestic spread of pneumonia.