Kim Hyun-mi "Comprehensive Support Planned for Aviation Industry Hit Hard by Novel Coronavirus"

Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Hyun-mi attending the Cabinet meeting held at the Government Seoul Office Building on the 28th of last month. / Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] Kim Hyun-mi, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, announced that she will promote comprehensive support for the aviation industry, which is expected to suffer significant damage due to the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia).

Minister Kim Hyun-mi made these remarks on the 10th at the 'Airline CEO Meeting' held at Korea Airports Corporation in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. The meeting was attended by CEOs from 10 airlines including Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, and Jeju Air, as well as CEOs from Incheon International Airport Corporation and Korea Airports Corporation.

Minister Kim and the aviation industry CEOs reviewed the airport and aircraft quarantine systems in response to the spread of the novel coronavirus, checked the damage status caused by flight reductions and decreased passenger numbers, and discussed countermeasures. Minister Kim praised the quarantine system at Incheon Airport and the thorough disinfection efforts, as reported by foreign media, and commended the efforts of airline and airport corporation officials who have quietly fulfilled their duties on the ground to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. She especially expressed gratitude to Korean Air and airport corporation officials who risked their safety to cooperate in operating charter flights for the safe return of Korean residents in the Wuhan area.

On the morning of the 31st of last month, overseas Koreans arriving from Wuhan, China, are disembarking from a charter flight at Gimpo Airport. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Minister Kim continued, "Since the lockdown of the Wuhan area on January 23, the number of flights on Korea-China routes decreased by about 70% in the second week of February, and recently, due to the shrinking travel sentiment among the public, other routes such as Southeast Asia are also being affected," emphasizing that she is seriously aware of the recent aviation demand and industry situation. Based on eight domestic airlines, the number of weekly flights decreased from 546 flights on 59 routes in early January to 162 flights in the second week of February, a reduction of 384 flights.

Accordingly, Minister Kim stated, "Following last year's Japanese export restrictions, the US-China trade dispute, and Boeing 737NG airframe defects, the aviation industry is facing consecutive adverse factors including the novel coronavirus, and we will actively consider support measures for the industry." Specifically, she said, "As of the 5th of this month, we have immediately implemented a suspension of the recovery of unused Korea-China traffic rights and slots to alleviate the burden caused by the reduction of flights on China routes," and added that step-by-step rapid support measures will be taken, including ▲ business plan changes for opening alternative routes ▲ operation of demand-flexible charter flights ▲ deferral and reduction of airport facility usage fees. She also emphasized that the difficulties and suggestions mentioned at the meeting will be actively reviewed.