South Korea adds more China flights, boosting low-cost carrier slots

In a move to deepen air connectivity with China, South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport assigned extra weekly slots on 25 international routes, benefiting low-cost carriers. Flight frequencies rose on major corridors, with Incheon-Beijing increasing from 38 to 52 flights per one outlet and Incheon-Shanghai from 56 to 63. Additional weekly services were added for Guangzhou, Dalian, Nanjing, Changsha and Hangzhou.

Carriers such as Parata Air Co., Jeju Air Co., Jin Air Co., Eastar Jet Co. and Air Premia Co. are among those granted the new rights. The allocation implements a fresh Korea-China agreement that expands bilateral flight rights after a seven-year pause and is intended to spur competition before Korean Air’s December acquisition of Asiana Airlines. The airlines must secure airport slots in China, with the expanded services slated to start in the summer of 2027.