Air service resumed between Busan and Japan's Fukuoka after 2 years

National 16:48 May 31, 2022

BUSAN, May 31 (Yonhap) -- Air service resumed on a route between South Korea's Gimhae International Airport and Japan's Fukuoka on Tuesday, making the gateway to Busan the first local airport to reopen an international route to Japan, excluding Incheon International Airport, the main gateway to Seoul, after the COVID-19 outbreak.

Following a resumption ceremony at Gimhae International Airport, attended by South Korean and Japanese officials, an Air Busan jet carrying about 60 passengers departed for Fukuoka, according to the Korea Airports Corporation (KAC).

Aviation industry officials pose for a photo during a ceremony held at Gimhae International Airport in Busan, southeastern South Korea, on May 31, 2022, to celebrate the resumption of air route to Japan's Fukuoka in this photo provided by the Korea Airports Corporation. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

The resumption of the Busan-Fukuoka air route came after two years of suspension caused by the pandemic. Gimhae International Airport used to transport about 3 million passengers annually to 13 cities in Japan before COVID-19. The Gimhae-Fukuoka route, the closest route in terms of geography between the two countries, was previously used by about 770,000 people a year.

KAC officials said they will try to normalize international flights at Gimhae International Airport and restore air demand as soon as possible following the resumption of flights between Busan and Fukuoka.

ycm@yna.co.kr
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Keywords

#Busan Fukuoka air service resumption