Korea's low-cost carrier (LCC) industry is steadily expanding routes to China. Unlike in the past, travelers can go back and forth conveniently without visas, and with low prices and short distances, demand for travel is rising—an opportunity the airlines are targeting.
Jeju Air said on the 22nd it will increase service on the Incheon–Yanji route from six times a week to 11 starting July 10. As a result, a total of 56 flights will be added over the two months of July–August. China's Yanji is known as the gateway to Baekdu Mountain tourism. At an elevation of 2,744 meters, Baekdu Mountain keeps daytime highs around 18°C even in midsummer, making it a popular summer destination.
A Jeju Air official said, "Travelers favor it because they can enjoy grand natural scenery such as Baekdu Mountain's Cheonji crater lake and Changbai Waterfall, and also experience the unique culture and food of the Yanbian region."
Eastar Jet Co. also scheduled non-regular flights on China routes. ▲ The Incheon–Datong route will operate twice weekly from July 9 to Aug. 30 ▲ the Incheon–Nantong route twice weekly from July 3 to Aug. 31 ▲ and the Incheon–Ningbo route twice weekly from Aug. 1 to Oct. 10. The three routes will total 110 flights, supplying more than 20,000 seats.
An Eastar Jet Co. official said, "We plan to maximize route revenue by flexibly operating non-regular flights during peak season, when demand from Chinese travelers visiting Korea increases," adding, "We are also pushing additional charter operations centered on Greater China routes." Charter tickets for the Incheon–Datong, Incheon–Nantong, and Incheon–Ningbo routes can be purchased through travel agencies.
In addition, Eastar Jet Co. secured 11 China route traffic rights in the regular allocation in the first half, including Incheon–Xiamen, Busan–Shanghai, Busan–Beijing, Busan–Hangzhou, and Cheongju–Shanghai, and plans to launch them sequentially starting in the second half of this year.
Recently, demand for flights between Korea and China has been on the rise. The visa-free effect is a major factor. Since November 2024, China has allowed 30-day visa-free entry for holders of regular Korean passports traveling for tourism or business. Korea also allowed visa-free entry on a temporary basis for Chinese group tourists starting in September last year.
Another factor is that with the recent strong dollar and high oil prices, destinations that are inexpensive and close by are becoming more popular. An LCC industry official noted, "Due to diplomatic tensions between China and Japan recently, Chinese travelers who would have gone to Japan are coming to Korea, which is also raising load factors on related flights."
Meanwhile, Jeju Air will also increase the Incheon–Ulaanbaatar route from five times a week to seven from July 10 to Aug. 18. Mongolia's Ulaanbaatar is a representative summer getaway, with average summer temperatures around 20°C.