Starting from the 27th, Busan↔Guam route operates once a week, first tourist flight from regional airports breathes new life
Accelerating international flights resumption, Saipan service expected within the year... Tourism and duty-free industries
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] The congested air routes between regional and overseas cities have begun to open up. Air Busan will resume the Busan~Guam route from the end of this month. With the resumption of the Guam route, other international flight operations are also expected to be fully activated.
Air Busan announced on the 11th that from the 27th, the Busan↔Guam route will operate once a week on Saturdays.
Air Busan's Busan~Guam route is being resumed after about 20 months since it was suspended on March 5 last year due to COVID-19.
The flight schedule departs from Gimhae International Airport at 8:05 AM and arrives at the local airport at 1:05 PM, while the return flight departs from the local airport at 3:05 PM and arrives at Gimhae International Airport at 6:30 PM.
The flight time takes about 4 hours, and Air Busan's new aircraft, the A321neo, will be deployed.
This route is scheduled as a daytime flight to enhance convenience for travelers.
Air Busan's Guam route is the first tourist route to resume since the suspension of international flights from regional airports in April last year, and it is expected to open up overseas travel using regional airports.
Although demand for overseas travel has increased, there have been no flights departing from regional airports, suppressing the desires of local residents such as honeymooners.
Air Busan plans to gradually expand international air routes starting with this Busan~Guam route.
The Busan~Saipan route, for which Air Busan has already been selected as the operating airline by the government and is scheduled to launch, is being prepared with the goal of its first flight this year.
Air Busan plans to expand route openings focusing on countries that allow quarantine-free entry in the future.
Passengers boarding the Busan~Guam route must present a PCR negative certificate issued within 72 hours of the boarding date.
Also, travelers wishing to use multi-use facilities in Guam must carry proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
Air Busan CEO Ahn Byung-seok expressed gratitude, saying, “The operation of this Guam route was made possible thanks to the active support of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Busan City, as well as the interest of local residents.”
CEO Ahn added, “Through the expansion of operations, we expect the local tourism and duty-free industries, which have been struggling, to gradually recover.”
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