Passenger Numbers Surpass Pre-Pandemic Levels During May Golden Week
International Routes Now Connect to Six Countries, with Over 80% from Greater China
Efforts to Boost Outbound Travel Include Advertising Subsidies
Attracting Jeju-Specialty Brands and Offering Landing Fee Incentives to Airlines
"Filming locations from the drama 'Poksak Sogasuda,' such as the buckwheat fields in Ora-dong, have become new tourist attractions in Jeju. In response to the increase in passenger traffic, we are working to improve the facilities and services at Jeju International Airport, expand routes, and increase flight frequency."
Passengers are lining up to check in their luggage at the Korean Air counter on the 3rd floor departure hall of Jeju International Airport on the 12th. Photo by Noh Kyungjo
Passenger demand at Jeju International Airport, which was sluggish in the first quarter of this year, has been rebounding in earnest since April. In particular, the popularity of the Netflix drama 'Poksak Sogasuda,' set in Jeju, is attracting both domestic and international tourists.
As a result, Korea Airports Corporation, which manages and operates Jeju Airport, has become busier. To sustain the recovery in air travel demand, the corporation is implementing specific measures such as operating pop-up stores within the airport, diversifying photo zone themes to turn the airport into a content-rich space, and offering landing fee discounts to airlines that increase seat supply.
According to the corporation on the 13th, Jeju Airport transported 516,000 passengers during the May Golden Week holiday period, surpassing the monthly level of the previous year for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. In the first quarter of this year alone, the figure was only 88% of the previous year (6.13 million passengers), but with the start of the summer season and the drama's popularity, passenger numbers began to increase significantly from April. So far this month, from the 1st to the 8th, 630,000 people have used Jeju Airport, recovering to 98% of last year's level.
Hwang Sunggap, Head of General Planning at Jeju Airport, stated, "On June 6th, the day of the Memorial Day holiday, we transported 93,000 passengers, the highest daily figure since 2019," adding, "Airlines are also continuously expanding their operations and seat supply."
Especially since the start of the summer season at the end of March this year, international passenger numbers have increased by 130.7% compared to the previous year. By country, passengers from Greater China, including China (73.8%) and Taiwan (13%), account for more than 80% of the total. Currently, Jeju Airport operates 23 routes to six countries: Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, China, Thailand, and Laos.
On the 12th, a mother and child are taking a commemorative photo at the photo zone of Jeju International Airport. Photo by Kyungjo Noh
The corporation plans to focus on fully restoring demand for Jeju air travel. Earlier this year, as part of efforts to attract travelers from Greater China, relay meetings were held with the embassies of Taiwan and China. Starting this month, a joint promotion based on social networking service (SNS) content is being prepared with the Japanese consulate.
Route expansion is also underway. Following the resumption of the Jeju-Kaohsiung route by T'way Air and Tigerair Taiwan in April, a new Taichung route was launched this month. From August 15, a new Singapore route will operate five times a week (increasing to seven times a week from September 1). In addition, to revitalize the Jeju-Gimpo route, a special incentive is being offered: airlines that increase seat supply by 3,360 seats (about 18 flights) compared to the same month last year receive a 20% reduction in landing fees.
Efforts are also being made to maintain inbound demand focused on international flights while increasing outbound travel. Jeju Province provides up to 2.5 million won per trip in outbound group advertising subsidies and offers incentives to travel agencies both inside and outside the province. For group tourists eligible for these incentives, the regional currency 'Tamnanajeon' is provided in advance at 30,000 won per person.
Hwang stated, "For any airport, outbound demand must exceed inbound for sustainability," adding, "We are considering repositioning international routes while also pursuing route diversification."
People are entering the brand 'Woomu' located inside Jeju International Airport on the 12th. Photo by Kyungjo Noh
Additionally, the corporation is attracting stores focused on Jeju-specialty products and brands with local appeal to enhance the airport's attractiveness. 'Woomu,' which operated as a pop-up store for two months from January to February last year and attracted 139,000 visitors, has now officially opened in the airport due to its popularity. Woomu is a Jeju-specialty brand selling products such as agar pudding and soap. The coffee chain Paul Bassett offers menu items available only at Jeju Airport. The corporation explained that, unless there are special circumstances, store occupancy is maintained for ten years, using pop-up stores as a test bed.
Jang Saehwan, Director of Jeju Airport, said, "Jeju offers not only the enjoyment of sightseeing but also healing for the mind and body," adding, "As the first gateway and the last impression of travel, Jeju Airport will continue to strive to make the space itself a representative content of Jeju, in line with the changing tourism trends."
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