From the 16th, increased to twice weekly on Wednesdays and Sundays, no need to transit through Incheon
Moves to ease overseas entry, plan to expand international flight routes
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] Air Busan's Busan~Saipan route has started operating twice a week. This is a great advantage in terms of cost and time for local travelers.
Following the government's decision to increase the frequency of this route to once a week, Air Busan will operate not only on Sundays, but also on Wednesdays starting from the 16th.
From the previous schedule of operating only on Sundays, the route will now operate twice a week on Wednesdays and Sundays, making 3-night 4-day or 4-night 5-day trips easier for passengers.
An Air Busan official said, "Although the reservation rate was lower than expected due to only once-a-week operation, we have steadfastly maintained the air route, and now the frequency has been increased."
Air Busan stated, "Now, with twice-weekly flights, we can offer convenient schedules and options to local residents who previously could not travel to Saipan due to scheduling or had to spend more time and money via Incheon transit."
The Busan~Saipan route schedule operates twice a week on Wednesdays and Sundays, departing from Gimhae International Airport at 8 a.m. and arriving 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 takes about 4 hours, and the latest aircraft, the Airbus A321neo, is deployed.
According to the Mariana Tourism Office, the number of Korean package tourists who visited Saipan last month exceeded 2,800, and the cumulative number of visitors surpassed 10,000.
The reasons why many tourists flock to Saipan include ▲the ability to travel without quarantine and ▲a 100% local vaccination completion rate for the second dose. Also, travelers' interests are attracted by the fact that they can enjoy various themes such as ▲golf, ▲hotel vacations, and ▲water sports tailored to their preferences.
Passengers on Saipan flights can enter Saipan without quarantine if they carry ▲a rapid antigen test negative certificate in English within one day of arrival time and ▲an English vaccination certificate.
The Mariana Tourism Office fully supports the local PCR test fees for Korean travelers entering Saipan until May.
Air Busan said that, following the government's successive easing of quarantine measures, travel sentiment is expected to gradually recover, and they plan to expand air routes mainly to countries with excellent quarantine systems and no-quarantine entry countries to increase overseas travel demand.
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