International Flights Increase Sevenfold in One Year... Reach 88% Level by September

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to Restore International Flights to 88% by September
Airport Buses Recover 58%, Scheduled to Increase to 76% by September

Over the past year, the number of international flights operated at domestic airports has increased more than sevenfold.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 18th that the number of international flights, which was 407 times per week in April last year, increased by 642% to 3,021 times in April this year.

This is about 65% of the 2019 pre-COVID-19 average (4,619 flights). The ministry aims to raise the number of international flights (based on approvals) to 4,075 in September, which is 88% of the 2019 level.

As air travel demand increased, airport buses (Seoul and Gyeonggi) were increased by 379% last month compared to April last year. This is slightly above half of the 2019 level. The government plans to continue expanding services to prepare for the summer peak season demand.

The airport railroad operation rate, which was about 86% of the 2019 level in April last year, recovered to 100% last month.

In preparation for the recovery of international flights, the number of airport workers in pilot and cabin crew, security screening, and ground handling sectors was increased, resulting in a workforce recovery rate of 89% compared to December 2019 as of last month.

Pilots have fully recovered at 100%, and airport services (cleaning and carts) have recovered at 98%, while cabin crew (83%) and ground handling workers (84%) have relatively lower recovery rates.

The government is gradually implementing support measures such as hiring subsidies and expanding late-night airport bus routes to assist in recruiting ground handling workers and others. It plans to support the return of 95% of the workforce by September.

Additionally, there is a plan to increase the number of international flights to around 4,000 to restore the level to that before COVID-19.