Jeju Air(089590) said on the 14th it will extend operations on the Incheon–Jeju route through March next year and increase weekly flights from two to three.
According to Jeju Air, the Incheon–Jeju route, which was originally scheduled to operate only through this summer season, has been extended to Mar. 27 next year. Starting Nov. 2, it will operate three times a week, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
The increase is due to a load factor in the high 80% range since the route launched in May and rising demand from foreigners traveling to Jeju.
Since launching on May 12, the Incheon–Jeju route carried about 11,600 passengers through the end of August, with an average load factor of 87.1%. Of these, foreigners numbered around 3,500, accounting for 30.4% of all passengers.
By nationality, Chinese passengers were the most numerous at about 1,170. They were followed by about 500 Americans, and about 130 French and about 120 Japanese.
The number of foreign passengers visiting Jeju on Jeju Air's domestic routes is also increasing. From January to August this year, about 160,000 foreigners used the Gimpo/Incheon–Jeju routes, up 28.8% from about 124,000 in the same period last year.
Jeju Air will hold a discount promotion through 5 p.m. on the 20th to coincide with the added flights and extended operation period. It will sell one-way Incheon–Jeju tickets departing through Mar. 27 next year starting from 26,200 won, including the fuel surcharge and airport facility fee.
Some flights departing from Nov. 15 to Mar. 19 next year will also offer a child fare waiver. If three or more people book including children ages 2 to 12, the airfare for child passengers will be waived.
A Jeju Air official said, "We will work to improve access to Jeju and contribute to the growth of Jeju tourism through the added flights and the extended operation period on the Incheon–Jeju route."