EVA Air cuts Seoul service capacity

EVA Air has joined HK Express (see here) in temporarily cutting capacity for flights to Seoul until August 2015 due to the ongoing MERS outbreak.
 
Effective immediately, the Taiwanese carrier will be replacing the twin-aisle A330-200 with the single-aisle A321 aircraft. The change has been reflected on the airline’s booking platform.
 
Flight times will remain the same, with BR160 departing Taipei at 1515, and arriving in Incheon at 1845. The return service will see flight BR159 depart Seoul at 1945 and touch down in Taipei at 2120.
 
The change in aircraft represents a significant drop in capacity, with premium seats in particular experiencing over a 60 per cent fall, while the number of seats in economy has fallen by over 20 per cent.
 
While both jets offer the same two cabin classes, passengers flying to Seoul should note that while the A330-200 offers an angled-flat premium product, business class on the A321 consists of less comfortable recliner seats.
 
EVA Air has confirmed the move was due to a recent drop in demand for flights to South Korea, which continues to suffer due to the MERS outbreak in the country. A total of 172 cases have been reported thus far, with 27 deaths recorded.
 
The Ministry of Strategy and Finance in South Korea has revealed that the health crisis has stalled the country’s economy, with department store sales decreasing by 16.5 per cent compared to the same period last year, while over 100,000 tourist visits have been cancelled.
 
For more information, visit evaair.com
 
Clement Huang