Tourist Flights and Cargo Expansion... Asiana's Full Effort to Secure Profitability Amid COVID-19

Incheon→Gangneung·Busan·Jeju→Incheon 'Tourism Flight' Debuts Next Month
A350-900 Converted to Cargo Aircraft, Expanding Cargo Supply

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yu Je-hoon] Asiana Airlines is actively devising desperate measures to overcome the crisis caused by the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). On the 24th, Asiana Airlines announced that it will operate a special tourism product using the A380 aircraft, which has been grounded due to the COVID-19 pandemic, for the general public on October 24-25.

The A380 aircraft, known as the "hotel in the sky," has not been used for domestic flights until now. Asiana Airlines has deployed this aircraft, which has been grounded due to COVID-19, for this special tourism product.

This program operates on a schedule departing from Incheon International Airport at 11 a.m., flying over Gangneung, Pohang, Gimhae, and Jeju, and returning to Incheon International Airport at 1:20 p.m. The ticket prices are 305,000 KRW for Business Suite seats, 255,000 KRW for Business seats, and 205,000 KRW for Economy seats. For Business and Economy seats, COVID-19 related quarantine guidelines will be followed, with passengers seated at certain intervals, resulting in a reduction of 185 seats from the actual available seats, operating only 310 seats.

All passengers will be provided with in-flight meals, amenity kits, 50% discount coupons for domestic flights, and in-flight duty-free discount coupons, along with in-flight entertainment system services. Mileage can also be accumulated (552~828 miles). This special tourism product can be purchased through the website starting today.

Separately, Asiana Airlines is also actively expanding its air cargo business. The airline converted one of its passenger aircraft, the A350-900, into a cargo-only plane and deployed it on the Incheon?Los Angeles (LA) route today. The converted A350-900 had 283 seats removed, enabling it to carry a total of 23 tons of cargo per flight. Asiana Airlines' total cargo aircraft capacity increased from 1,152 tons to 1,175 tons. Starting next month, Asiana Airlines plans to continue cargo transportation focusing on high-demand routes such as Incheon?Ho Chi Minh.