Following National Carriers... Foreign Airlines Also 'Stirring' to Return to Korean Routes

[Asia Economy Reporter Yu Je-hoon] As the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) slows down in major countries, foreign airlines are also gradually considering resuming flights to Korea following national carriers.

Germany's Lufthansa Group announced on the 2nd that it will resume operations on the Incheon-Munich route (three times a week) starting from the 24th. Lufthansa Group, the largest European airline group consisting of Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines, is the first European airline to resume flights on routes that had been suspended.

Lufthansa Group had previously suspended its Korea routes in March when COVID-19 was rapidly spreading. The company explained that this resumption of flights is timed with the easing of travel restrictions in Korea and Europe. Alejandro Arias, head of Lufthansa Group Korea, said, "Although the schedule is reduced compared to before, we are glad to be able to quickly resume flights to Korea."

Lufthansa Group is not the only airline considering resuming Korea routes. Air Canada is also reportedly reviewing the resumption of the Incheon-Toronto route around the end of this month.

However, since the COVID-19 situation is still ongoing, it is uncertain whether this trend will expand. In fact, Air Macau resumed flights on the Incheon-Macau route in early last month but suspended operations again after only four days due to a cluster infection originating from Itaewon clubs.

The mandatory 14-day quarantine measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infections also makes foreign airlines hesitant to return. An industry official said, "Recently, measures such as exemption or reduction of mandatory quarantine have been implemented for those who have undergone diagnostic tests through expedited business traveler lanes, but it is difficult to expand this broadly."