GANGWON-DO < invest Korea

Yangyang Internatioal Airport reached the highest number of passengers on international flights in 12 years of its operation.

Gangwon Province and Yangyang branch of the Korea Airports Corporation announced that 23,562 passengers boarded international flights at the airport this year as of Monday.

The number increased by 9,905 from 13,657 in 2003 and 215 from last year’s 23,347.

Flights to Shanghai showed the highest number of passengers (12,134 passengers), followed by Dalian (7,933), Harbin (3,453) and Osaka (42).

Boarding rate was highest in Harbin at 94.9 percent, followed by Dalian (93.8 percent) and Shanghai (80.7 percent). The average boarding rate was high at 86.5 percent.

Gangwon Province noted that the increase was due to reinforced role of Yangyang airport with upcoming 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang and enhanced awareness of tourist attractions in the province with aggressive marketing activities in China.

Major attractions, including Mount Seorak, Jeongdongjin, Alpensia Resort and Nami Island, are attracting more Chinese visitors.

Gangwon Province expects facilitation of the airport and plans to increase the number of international flights to build an international network that connects Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia countries.

The province is negotiating flights to Guangzhou, Hunan, Foochow and Nanchang and will also review flights to Osaka, Kaohsiung and Manila.

Gangwon Province and the Korea Airports Corporation will continue to provide financial support and exemptions for facility costs.

A province official noted that introduction of additional flights are important for continuous growth of Yangyang airport, adding that the province will focus on diversifying international flights, building tourism infrastructure and attracting foreign visitors.

Source: Yonhap News (Aug. 19, 2013)

** This article was translated from the Korean.