North America and Europe Routes 'Last Minute' Promotion
"Implementing Fair Trade Commission Guidelines Due to Korean Air Integration"
Asiana Airlines is attracting attention by selling special discount air tickets for North America and Europe routes with imminent departure dates.
According to Asiana Airlines on the 18th, through the 'LAST MINUTE' promotion, economy round-trip tickets for North America routes have been sold at discounted prices since the 12th, and for Europe routes since the 17th. The price, including fuel surcharges and taxes, is under 1 million KRW.
For North America routes, tickets start from 645,900 KRW for Los Angeles (LA) and San Francisco, 545,900 KRW for Seattle, 745,900 KRW for New York, and 661,100 KRW for Hawaii. The sales period lasts until the 24th, and the departure date is valid until the 30th of next month.
For Europe routes, special discount tickets can be issued until the 21st, with departures allowed within this month. The total fare prices are set at 701,800 KRW for London, 589,500 KRW for Paris, 500,900 KRW for Rome, and 638,500 KRW for Frankfurt.
For example, based on a search on this day, a round-trip ticket from Incheon to London departing on the 23rd and returning on the 31st can be purchased for more than 50% less than the regular economy ticket 'Economy Standard' (1,601,100 KRW). It is also half the price compared to 'Economy Saver' (1,401,100 KRW), which earns about half the mileage of the Standard. The 'Economy Flex', which can be upgraded to business class, is priced at only about a quarter of the cost.
However, mileage accrual varies by route. Mileage cannot be accrued on the London route, but on the New York route, mileage can be earned at the Saver level.
Asiana Airlines explained that it launched the special discount ticket sales to comply with fare regulations that must be followed due to the integration with Korean Air. Previously, the Fair Trade Commission conditionally approved the corporate merger in 2022, stipulating that for routes where Korean Air has monopoly (competition restriction) concerns, ticket prices cannot be raised above the inflation rate compared to the 2019 average fare for 10 years from the merger completion date.
An Asiana Airlines official said, "We understand that many customers are showing interest in this special discount sale," and added, "We are making efforts to properly comply with the Fair Trade Commission's guidelines."
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