Korean Air will resume services and increase flights on its China network later this month.

The SkyTeam member is currently operating just 7 per cent of its pre-pandemic China schedule.

From 17 March, flights between Korea and mainland China will increase from 13 times per week to 84 times per week by the end of March, and to 99 times per week in May.

Korean Air’s weekly flight frequency on its China routes will reach 38 per cent and 43 per cent of 2019 levels in March/April and May/June, respectively.

Through service resumption and increased flights, the airline will provide diversified and more convenient schedules between Incheon and downtown Gimpo and major cities in China including Beijing and Shanghai.

Korean Air says it will also work to revitalise the aviation and tourism industries and Incheon Airport’s role as a hub through expanding transit networks from China.

In March, Korean Air will resume seven routes to China from Incheon – Beijing (up to double daily), Xian (daily from May), Shenzhen (daily from May), Yanji (daily), Xiamen (three times a week from May).

From Gimpo, the SkyTeam member flies to both Beijing and Shanghai’s downtown Hongqiao Airport.

Separately, Korean Air will increase flight frequencies on seven current routes from Incheon – Shanghai (Pudong), Guangzhou, Qingdao, Shenyang, Dalian, Tianjin and Nanjing.

Incheon-Pudong will be double daily; Guangzhou, Qingdao, Shenyang, Dalian and Tianjin will increase to daily; Nanjing to four-weekly.

Separately, Korean Air earlier this month announced that the U.K. Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) approved its business combination with other Korean premium international carrier, Star Alliance member Asiana Airlines.

Korean Air is still missing major approvals from the EU, US and Japan before it can merge with Asiana.

Until now, 11 competition watchdogs have given their blessing to Korean Air swallowing up smaller Asiana.

Asiana’s frequent flyer programme – Asiana Club – is expected to be discontinued upon completion of the merger. Members will be accommodated in Korean Air’s Skypass programme.

Korean Air recently unveiled a new regional business class on its Airbus A321neo fleet which will feature on some of the China flights.

Korean Air unveils A321 neo with fully flat business class

koreanair.com