"Welcome to Saipan, $100 Travel Credit in February" ... Air Busan Opens Busan~Saipan Air Route

From the 23rd, Weekly Flights from Gimhae Airport with PCR Support and Travel Bubble Benefits Included

On the 23rd, travelers boarded Air Busan's new flight to Saipan.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] Air Busan has opened the first air route from a regional airport, connecting Busan to Saipan.

Air Busan announced on the 24th that flight BX622 from Gimhae International Airport to Saipan took off at 8 a.m. on the 23rd, marking the start of regular operations.

The Saipan route is the only tourist route from a domestic regional airport, and travel demand in the southern region is expected to gradually increase.

Air Busan explained that reservations are on the rise as the flight departing on the 30th includes the Lunar New Year holiday.

Air Busan’s Busan-Saipan route operates once a week on Sundays as a non-scheduled flight. It departs from Gimhae International Airport at 8 a.m. and arrives at Saipan International Airport at 1:10 p.m. The return flight departs from the local airport at 3:10 p.m. and arrives at Gimhae International Airport at 6:30 p.m. The flight time is approximately four hours, and the next-generation aircraft Airbus A321neo is deployed.

Saipan currently has a travel bubble agreement with South Korea, making travel easy. Quarantine is exempted upon domestic entry. According to the Mariana Tourism Authority, the local vaccination completion rate reaches 98.1%, making it a relatively safe travel destination.

Air Busan plans to enhance the travel experience by offering popular meal dishes as paid in-flight meals on the Busan-Saipan route.

Travelers who wish to use the in-flight meal service can apply in advance through the Air Busan website or mobile web/app.

An Air Busan official said, “Since Saipan exempts quarantine and is a relatively safe overseas travel destination, travel demand such as honeymooners is expected to gradually increase. Starting with the Saipan route, we plan to continuously expand international flights at Gimhae Airport.”

Passengers on Saipan flights must carry ▲a rapid antigen test English negative certificate within one day of arrival in Saipan ▲and an English vaccination certificate to enter without quarantine.

Detailed information on the required documents for entry can be found on the Mariana Tourism Authority and Air Busan websites.

Currently, Saipan provides a travel subsidy of $100 per person, usable like cash at government-certified hotels and shopping centers, and fully supports local PCR test fees for Korean travelers departing until February.