SEOUL, September 8, 2024 – The South Korean aviation industry has seen a remarkable resurgence in international travel over the summer months, with passenger numbers soaring by nearly 20% compared to the same period last year. According to data submitted by Incheon International Airport Corporation and Korea Airport Corporation to the South Korean National Assembly’s Land, Infrastructure, and Transport Committee, a total of 15.69 million international passengers used domestic airports between July and August this year, marking a 19.9% increase year-on-year.
This surge in international travel has brought the figures back to 97% of the levels seen in the same period in 2019, before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The recovery is a testament to the gradual lifting of travel restrictions and the normalization of global air travel.
Strong Growth in Major Overseas Routes
Among the major overseas routes, the number of passengers traveling on Japanese flights topped the list, with 4.165 million passengers, accounting for 26.5% of the total international passengers. This represents an 18.5% increase from the previous year and a 25% increase compared to the same period in 2019.
Southeast Asian routes saw 4.248 million passengers, marking an 8% increase year-on-year and recovering to 95.4% of the 2019 level. The China route, with 2.788 million passengers, experienced a significant 58.9% increase and has recovered to 82.3% of the 2019 figure.
America and Europe Routes Perform Well
The Americas route saw 1.229 million passengers, a 16.3% increase year-on-year, surpassing the 2019 level. In contrast, the European route saw a slight decrease of 0.2%, with 879,000 passengers, recovering to 66.6% of the 2019 level.
Domestic Airlines See Growth
In terms of domestic airlines, the most significant increases were seen in the number of international passengers. Asiana Airlines reported 2.079 million passengers, followed by Jeju Air with 1.47 million, Jeonnam Air with 1.444 million, and Deutsche Wind Air with 1.175 million. All these figures show an increase of around 10% compared to the previous year.
Recovery Continues
The recovery in international travel is a positive sign for the South Korean aviation industry, which has been hit hard by the pandemic. The strong performance of major overseas routes and the recovery of passenger numbers to near pre-pandemic levels indicate that the industry is on the right track towards full recovery.
The increase in international travel is also a testament to the effectiveness of vaccination campaigns and the gradual lifting of travel restrictions. As more people get vaccinated and travel confidence returns, the aviation industry is expected to continue its recovery momentum.
In conclusion, the 20% year-on-year increase in international airline passengers during the summer months in South Korea is a significant achievement for the aviation industry. The strong performance of major overseas routes and the recovery of passenger numbers to near pre-pandemic levels are encouraging signs for the future of the industry. As the world continues to move towards a post-pandemic normal, the aviation industry is poised to see further growth and prosperity.
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