South Korea and Hong Kong to liberalise air services

South Korea's Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs announced (22-Nov-2012) South Korea and Hong Kong have reached an agreement to liberalise air services. Details of the agreement include:

• Passenger services:
  • No restrictions on the number of passenger seats that could be operated from South Korea's regional airports to Hong Kong;
  • Increase in the number of weekly seats from the current 18,000 to 23,000 weekly seats for Seoul Incheon-Hong Kong services. From summer 2013 (from 31-Mar-2013) the number of weekly seats that can be operated will increase to 28,000 weekly seats and from winter 2013 (from 27-Oct-2013) there will be no restrictions;
• Cargo services:
  • Increase in the number of weekly cargo volume carried from the current volume of 1362 tonnes to 1562 tonnes and from summer 2013 (from 31-Mar-2013) the limit will increase to 1812 tonnes per week.

The following South Korean carriers are operating services to Hong Kong as of Nov-2012:

• Korean Air:
  • Passenger service: Two routes: Seoul-Hong Kong and Busan-Hong Kong service. Total of 37 times weekly services;
  • Cargo service: One route: Seoul-Hong Kong. Total of eight times weekly services;
• Asiana Airlines:
  • Passenger service: One route: Seoul-Hong Kong. Total of 28 times weekly services;
  • Cargo service: One route: Seoul-Hong Kong. Total of six times weekly services;
• Jeju Air:
  • Passenger service: Two routes: Seoul-Hong Kong and Busan-Hong Kong. Total of 10 times weekly service.
• Air Busan:
  • Passenger service: One route: Busan-Hong Kong. Total of three times weekly service;
• Jin Air:
  • Passenger service: One route: Seoul-Hong Kong. Total of five times weekly service. [more - original PR - Korean]