Jeju-bound Flights Sold Out in Early May
Domestic Travel Demand Surges During 'Golden Holiday'
Rising Yen Also Contributes to Decreased Travel to Japan
As the 'golden holiday' period, which can last up to six days, begins, securing airline tickets to Jeju Island has become as difficult as picking stars from the sky. Due to the nature of this staggered holiday, more travelers appear to be choosing domestic trips over long-distance international travel.
According to the airline industry on May 2, all Jeju-bound flights departing from Seoul on Korean Air between May 2 and 3 are sold out. Most flights departing on May 4 are also fully booked, and the few remaining seats cost over 100,000 won one way?more than double the usual price.
Other airlines, including Asiana Airlines, have also effectively sold out their Jeju-bound flights. On ticket brokerage platforms, it is impossible to even search for Jeju tickets during the golden holiday period. In effect, all major airlines' Jeju routes are sold out for the duration of the holiday.
According to Korea Airports Corporation, the number of airline passengers using the 14 airports nationwide during this holiday period is expected to reach about 1.4 million, with more than 1.05 million expected to be domestic travelers. The total number of flights is forecast to reach 8,043. In particular, on May 2, congestion is expected to be especially severe at Gimhae Airport and Jeju Airport due to the concentration of travelers.
The number of domestic passengers centered on Jeju reached an all-time high of 36,328,296 in 2022, but has steadily declined since then, dropping sharply by about 14.3% to 31,131,750 last year. During the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for domestic travel increased as overseas trips became impossible. However, as major domestic destinations adopted high prices and overcharging policies, travelers once again turned away from these locations.
However, due to the prolonged economic downturn and the staggered holiday, more people are now choosing domestic travel over international trips. In addition, the recent rise of the yen to around 1,000 won has led to a partial recovery of travel demand that had shifted to Japan. Although Japan is close, without the advantage of a weak yen, domestic travel has become less burdensome than traveling abroad.
Furthermore, Jeju Island recently appeared as the backdrop for the globally popular Netflix drama 'Poksak Soksassuda', leading to expectations of a surge in demand for flights to Jeju. As a result, domestic airlines have decided to add extra flights to Jeju routes in May. According to the airline industry on May 2, Jeju Air will operate 38 additional temporary flights on the Gimpo-Jeju route in May and June, in addition to its regular schedule.
Asiana Airlines will increase its weekly Jeju flights by 14 in May and, until May 6, will switch to larger aircraft during the holiday, providing an additional 1,160 seats per day. Korean Air will add mileage-only flights to the Jeju route?four flights on the Busan-Jeju route on May 2 and 5, and 32 flights on the Gimpo-Jeju route from June 1 to 8. Eastar Jet will add 10 flights on the Gimpo-Jeju route and two daily flights on the Busan-Jeju route during the May holiday. T'way Air will operate two additional daily flights on the Cheongju-Jeju route from May 15 to 18.
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