South Korea's airports to operate international low-altitude flights from May 2021

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (hereinafter referred to as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism) stated on 18 April 2021 that Gimpo, Daegu, and Gimhae airports will be able to operate international low-altitude flights from May 2021.

During this period, the Ministry of Land and Infrastructure only allowed Incheon Airport to operate low-altitude flights, and this time it has expanded to the three regional airports of Gimpo, Daegu and Gimhae. According to the Ministry of Land and Resources, after the introduction of the low-altitude travel program at Incheon Airport on 12 December 2020, a total of 75 flights operated by 7 Korean airlines and more than 8,000 passengers were in operation until March this year.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism stated that it will first promote the project in Gimpo, Daegu, and Gimhae in consideration of epidemic prevention management, customs, entry-exit inspection and quarantine personnel, etc., and then restart according to airline needs, inspection and quarantine personnel, and duty-free shop operations. The ministry will monitor the situation, and then discuss any further promotion to other airports such as Cheongju, Yangyang and other plans.

In addition, in order to do a good job in the prevention and control of the epidemic, the Ministry of Land and Resources will fully ensure the time interval between flight departure and landing, and each airport will operate about 3 flights a day. All passengers are required to wear masks at the airports and in the aircraft and receive more than three temperature measurements. They are not allowed to change seats at will and eat or drink in the aircraft. Those with suspected symptoms will be restricted from boarding the aircraft.

International low-altitude flight sightseeing tour refers to a form of travel product that does not land locally after the flight takes off and exits, but returns to the original airport after flying over it. Passengers can enjoy tax-free shopping as international passengers, and they can be exempted from virus testing and quarantine measures upon entry.