Korean Air to increase domestic fares by 7 percent in June

Korean Air announced Friday that it would increase the economy class airfares of all domestic routes, encompassing midweek, weekend, and peak season tickets, by seven percent on average along with return fees effective on June 1. This is the first domestic fare raise introduced by the nation’s largest flagship carrier in seven years.

Economy plus and prestige classes each will charge additional 15,000 won and 60,000 won to economy prices, same as before. One exception is routes to Jeju Island. Flights from Gimpo, Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, and Cheongju to the southern island are divided into preferred hours and regular hours, with no raise in the fares of regular hour flights. Return fees of domestic tickets will increase from the previous 1,000 won to 3,000 won for normal fares, 5,000 won for special fares, and 7,000 won for hot deal fares. The no-show penalty is kept unchanged at 8,000 won. Customers who make a purchase before May 31 will be still eligible for current price levels before the upcoming increase.


bjk@donga.com