[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Hyun-seok] Korean Air announced on the 31st that it will launch a new route to Budapest, the capital of Hungary, on October 3. A Boeing 787-9 with 269 seats will be deployed on the Incheon-Budapest route, operating once a week throughout October and increasing to twice a week starting October 29.
Starting with the first flight on October 3, until October 25, the flight departs Incheon Airport at 11:25 a.m. on Mondays and arrives at the local time of 5:05 p.m. The return flight departs at 7:15 p.m. on Tuesdays and arrives at Incheon Airport at 12:50 p.m. the next day. From October 31, when the winter schedule begins, flights will operate twice a week, departing Incheon Airport at 12:25 p.m. and arriving at 5:15 p.m. local time. The return flight departs at 7:35 p.m. and arrives at 2:15 p.m. the following day.
Korean Air plans to strengthen its competitiveness on European routes and accelerate the development of new markets in Eastern Europe through this new passenger route, following the launch of cargo flights to Budapest in February 2020.
Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is a destination with abundant demand not only for tourism but also for business, facilitating active human exchange. The city boasts deep history and scenery, with many areas designated as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites. It is famous for major tourist attractions such as Fisherman's Bastion, Buda Castle, and the Parliament Building, as well as its beautiful night views. Additionally, many Korean companies have entered the market due to the Hungarian government's policies promoting the automotive manufacturing industry and investment.
Along with this, Korean Air will resume major routes in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, which had been suspended since March 2020, in line with the recovery of travel demand.
First, from October 1, flights on the Incheon-Dubai route will resume. The Incheon-Dubai route operates three times a week, departing Incheon Airport at 1:20 p.m. and arriving at 6:55 p.m. local time. The return flight departs at 11:00 p.m. local time and arrives at Incheon Airport at 12:40 p.m. the next day.
Dubai, the largest city on the Persian Gulf, offers various tourist attractions and shopping, making it an attractive destination for travelers planning late vacations. As the only national carrier operating in the Middle East region, Korean Air expects Dubai to become a hub for travel in the Middle East.
Phuket, Thailand, a representative honeymoon destination in Southeast Asia, will also resume flights four times a week from October 1. The flight departs Incheon Airport at 5:55 p.m. and arrives in Phuket at 10:00 p.m. The return flight departs at 11:20 p.m. and arrives at 7:55 a.m. the next day. Phuket is loved by travelers for its clean natural environment, various water leisure activities such as snorkeling and sea fishing, and tours to nearby islands like Phi Phi Island.
The Incheon-Chiang Mai route will also operate four times a week starting October 1. The flight departs Incheon Airport at 5:55 p.m. and arrives in Chiang Mai at 9:30 p.m. The return flight departs Chiang Mai at 11:00 p.m. and arrives at Incheon International Airport at 6:25 a.m. the next day. Chiang Mai is located in a highland area at an altitude of 500 meters, with temperatures on average more than 5 degrees Celsius lower than other cities in Thailand. It is a favorite destination for travelers seeking unique experiences such as long-term stays in a quaint and quiet atmosphere. It is also famous as a Southeast Asian golf sanctuary attracting golf tourists escaping cold winter weather.
Korean Air plans to thoroughly review overseas travel demand after COVID-19 and do its best to enhance customer convenience by resuming suspended passenger routes and expanding seat supply.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
