South Korea and China to expand air links for the first time in seven years — Reuters
South Korea and China have officially agreed to significantly expand air transport rights between the two countries to boost tourism and business ties.
Diplomats approved the agreement during bilateral aviation talks in Seoul in late May.
This step marks the first major revision of aviation quotas between the two countries since 2019.
According to the signed agreements, the frequency of passenger flights between the countries will increase by 56 flights per week.
At the same time, the number of regular cargo flights is planned to be increased by an additional 14 flights.
The updated schedule will significantly expand flights on the most popular routes, particularly between the key Korean hub of Incheon and the largest Chinese megacities—Shanghai and Guangzhou.
The cooperation program also provides for the launch of new air routes from regional airports in South Korea to a number of economic centers in China. In particular, flights will operate to cities such as Chengdu, Shenzhen, Chongqing, and Xi’an.
South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport notes that the agreement was made possible by the growth in passenger traffic between the two countries.
Passenger traffic figures for the first quarter of 2026 have already confidently surpassed the levels recorded before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reuters reports on this.
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