닫혔던 국제선 하늘길 6월부터 조금씩 열린다
After reducing flights by almost 90 percent in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, South Korea's aviation industry is gradually restarting their international flights.
To cope during these trying times, local airlines are also repurposing their fleets.
Kim Dami has the details.
The Korean aviation industry is spreading its wings again.
The country's national flag carrier Korean Air will reopen 13 international routes starting Monday.
The routes include Washington D.C., Seattle, Chicago, Kuala Lumpur and Amsterdam.
For their passengers' return to the skies during a global pandemic, local airlines are more geared up than ever.
"From May 18, all domestic passengers are required to wear face masks, and passengers can now scan their own boarding pass before getting on the plane."
Local low-cost carriers have also hopped on the move by gradually expanding overseas routes.
However, flights to China remain idle because the Chinese aviation authorities have not lifted the so-called 'One airline, one route' restriction.
The sky routes resumption also comes following a high cargo demand.
"With the high cargo demand, we're temporarily expanding the number of passenger planes for carrying cargos and the number of main routes for those planes."
In fact, by refitting some of their passenger planes to carry cargo, Asiana Airline's sales of cargo outperformed sales from their passengers for the first time in March.
But revitalization of the aviation industry still heavily relies on passengers traveling.
While some European countries are welcoming back foreign visitors, South Korea has extended its special travel advisory to June 19.
The road back to recovering passenger demand during this pandemic may be turbulent, but local international flights are once again taking off for their passengers while satisfying new purposes and needs.
Kim Dami, Arirang News.
