Gimpo-Beijing Shuttle Flights to Open This Year

Three new airline routes will be opened between Korea and China by year’s end to link Gimpo and Beijing, Incheon and Mudanjiang, and Incheon and Huangshan.

The Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs Ministry in Seoul said yesterday that both countries agreed to open shuttle flights linking Gimpo and Beijing and two other routes in bilateral aviation talks on China`s Hainan Island last week.

The date of the opening and flight schedules for Gimpo-Beijing shuttle flights will be determined by year’s end through talks between working-level aviation officials from the two countries.

Three weekly flights will open between Incheon and Mudanjiang and seven between Incheon and Huangshan. These routes have not opened due to lack of facilities at Chinese airports.

The number of weekly flights between Incheon and Xiamen will increase from four to seven, while those between Incheon and Shenzhen will increase from six to eight. Weekly flights between Incheon and Yanji will increase from six to 10, and those linking Incheon and Xian from seven to 12.

Shuttle flights refer to regular international flights linking major cities in close proximity to each other for business and frequent fliers.

sys1201@donga.com