Irregular Weekly Flight, Signal of Recovery for International Tourism, Travel, and Duty-Free Industry
The Only Route Exempt from Self-Quarantine for Arrivals... Launching on the 23rd
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] Air Busan will launch its first flight on the Busan~Saipan route on the 23rd. Saipan is the only country exempt from self-quarantine upon domestic entry under the 'Travel Bubble' agreement with South Korea.
The Busan~Saipan route, signaling the revival of regional international airports weakened by COVID-19, will operate once a week on Sundays as an irregular flight. This is Air Busan's first operation on the Saipan route.
The Saipan flight departs from Gimhae International Airport at 8:00 AM and arrives at Saipan International Airport at 1:10 PM. The return flight departs from the local airport at 3:10 PM and arrives at Gimhae International Airport at 6:30 PM.
The flight time takes about 4 hours, and the next-generation aircraft Airbus A321neo will be deployed.
Currently, travel to Saipan is exempt from self-quarantine upon entry into South Korea. Saipan implemented the exemption from local entry self-quarantine through the Travel Bubble agreement between South Korea and the Northern Mariana Islands in June last year.
Although the South Korean government has enforced a 10-day self-quarantine for all international arrivals since December due to the Omicron variant, Saipan is exempt from quarantine measures under the Travel Bubble agreement.
It is currently the only route exempt from self-quarantine when entering South Korea from abroad.
Following this irregular Saipan operation, Air Busan will continue to expand international flights at Gimhae Airport.
Last year, Air Busan led the resumption of international flights at Gimhae Airport by restarting the Busan~Qingdao route. The Busan~Guam route has also resumed operations.
An Air Busan representative said, “As the representative airline of Gimhae Airport, we will actively expand international routes at Gimhae Airport to enhance air travel convenience for local residents and lead the recovery of the local tourism and duty-free industries.”
Air Busan CEO Ahn Byung-seok said, “Despite the impact of Omicron, Air Busan will continue to expand international flights at Gimhae Airport in accordance with thorough quarantine measures and government policies. We are focusing on the revival of the local tourism and duty-free industries, which are experiencing severe difficulties.”
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