Yangyang-Shanghai International Routes to Launch Late This Year? Expectations Rise for a "Tailwind"

[Anchor]

Yangyang International Airport, which saw regular domestic routes established last year when Parata Airlines launched flights to Jeju, is expected to receive another tailwind. With the launch of the Yangyang-Shanghai international route virtually confirmed for the end of this year and multiple Chinese airlines pushing for operations, expectations are growing for the revitalization of the airport.

This is Kim Ki-tae from G1 Broadcasting.

[Reporter]

In late September of last year, Parata Airlines launched a domestic route connecting Yangyang and Jeju.

Two years and four months after acquiring the former Fly Gangwon, which had entered corporate rehabilitation procedures, regular routes began operating, raising high expectations for resolving air transportation demand.

Since then, Parata Airlines has stably operated the Yangyang-Jeju route and raised its brand awareness, but some regret remained as it was limited to domestic flights.

Gangwon State and Parata Airlines have now embarked on full-scale preparation procedures to launch international routes following the Yangyang-Jeju domestic service.

The international route currently under discussion departing from Yangyang International Airport is the route to Shanghai, China, with a target for its inaugural flight as early as this December.

Plans for operating two to three times a week are being discussed, and as discussions on slot allocations at China's Shanghai Pudong Airport have already been completed, the number of flights is expected to increase further.

China Eastern Airlines is also pushing to operate the Yangyang-Shanghai route within this year, and another Chinese airline is reportedly reviewing the launch of a new Yangyang route.

If the restoration of multiple regular international routes is realized, it is expected to be a massive boost not only to Yangyang International Airport and the Yeongdong region, but also to the recovery of the tourism economy within the province.

[Interview / Lee Kyung-oh / Head of Tourism Development Division, Gangwon State: We plan to develop tourism products centered around Yangyang Airport that allow visitors to stay and spend in tourist destinations throughout the province, ranging from Sokcho and Gangneung to as far as Chuncheon and Pyeongchang, which we believe will help revitalize our local economy.]

We plan to develop tourism products centered around Yangyang Airport that allow visitors to stay and spend in tourist destinations throughout the province, ranging from Sokcho and Gangneung to as far as Chuncheon and Pyeongchang, which we believe will help revitalize our local economy.

From last year through the end of July this year, 131 irregular charter flights operated at Yangyang International Airport, serving a total of 18,097 passengers, demonstrating steady demand for international flights.

(Video by: Shin Ik-gyun, G1 Broadcasting)

Kim Ki-tae, G1
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.