'Asia's Only' US Salt Lake City Air Route Opens in Incheon

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Joe Esposito, Senior Vice President of Network Planning at Delta Air Lines, is answering questions from Korean reporters at a press conference for the launch of the Salt Lake City-Incheon route held on the morning of the 26th (local time) at Delta Air Lines headquarters in Atlanta, USA. (Photo by Incheon International Airport Corporation)

Delta Air Lines is launching a direct flight route connecting Salt Lake City, the capital of Utah, USA, and Incheon Airport. Salt Lake City serves as a hub for domestic flights within the US and is also adjacent to Silicon Valley, making it a focal point for next-generation technology industries. With the 2026 Summer Olympics scheduled to be held there, the strategy is to prepare in advance for the anticipated increase in demand.

On the 26th (local time), Incheon International Airport Corporation and Delta Air Lines held a press conference at Delta's headquarters in Atlanta, USA, to announce this new route plan. Joe Esposito, Senior Vice President of Network Planning at Delta Air Lines, said, "The Salt Lake City?Incheon route has been a new route that Delta has been considering for a long time. Although it was somewhat delayed due to COVID-19, we are pleased to confirm the launch now," adding, "It will be a new air route that satisfies both business and leisure demand between the southwestern US and Asia."

Delta Air Lines plans to operate the Incheon?Salt Lake City route with an Airbus A350-900 (275 seats), flying seven times a week starting from June next year. This newly established route is the only direct flight to Salt Lake City from the Asian region. Previously, Northwest Airlines operated the first direct flight from Narita Airport, Japan, to Salt Lake City in 2009. After Northwest merged with Delta Air Lines in 2010, the direct flight continued until 2011. At that time, Delta operated small-scale routes connecting Narita and Southeast Asia. However, due to lack of profitability, the route was discontinued after one year. Now, after 13 years, a direct flight route has been established to South Korea.

Salt Lake City is considered a hub city for Delta Air Lines within the US. It has operated flights focusing on 84 domestic routes as well as routes to Mexico and Canada. Its network covering the southwestern and central regions is a particular strength. Vice President Joe emphasized, "Salt Lake City is only 10 minutes from the airport to downtown and just 40 minutes from mountain tourist destinations. The airport's location is excellent, and it is emerging as a hub connecting the southwestern US, so it will play an important role going forward."

In fact, Salt Lake City is the capital of Utah and is located near the Rocky Mountains and five national parks. It is also famous for cultural events such as skiing and the Sundance Film Festival. The Winter Olympics are scheduled to be held there in 2034, the first time in 32 years. Additionally, industrial demand is growing. It has steadily expanded by attracting tech company personnel from Silicon Valley and the San Francisco area. IT companies such as Adobe, eBay, and Oracle have bases located on the hills, earning the area the nickname "Silicon Slope," in reference to Silicon Valley.

Lee Hak-jae, President of Incheon International Airport Corporation, said, "With the launch of the Salt Lake City route, passengers traveling to North and South America will have more options," adding, "We will continue to expand our air network through various airline marketing activities, including routes to the Americas."