Regional airports continue to post losses as flights decline

SEOUL, October 21 (AJP) - Most regional airports in South Korea continue to post operating losses, as domestic flights on major routes fell nearly 10 percent this summer from a year earlier.

According to a report submitted to lawmaker Hwang Hee of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport based on data from Korea Airports Corporation (KAC) on Wednesday, some nine provincial airports in Gwangju, Gunsan, Muan, Pohang-Gyeongju, Sacheon, Ulsan, Wonju, Yangyang and Yeosu suffered operating losses for five consecutive years from 2021 to last year.

Their combined annual deficit reached 117.2 billion won (US$85 million) last year, up from 100.6 billion won in 2021.

KAC posted an overall operating loss of 22.3 billion won last year, even though four other regional airports including those in Cheongju, Gimpo, Gimhae and Jeju posted a combined operating profit of 240.6 billion won.

Some regional airports depend on a single airline for certain domestic routes, with Jin Air the only domestic carrier flying to Gunsan, Pohang-Gyeongju, and Wonju. Another low-cost carrier Parata Air is the sole domestic carrier offering flights to Yangyang, raising concerns about limited flight options and reduced connectivity in regional areas.

Flights on four major domestic routes, in fact, fell by 71 to 646 per week this summer, down 9.9 percent from 717 a year earlier. The Jeju-Gimhae route saw the largest cut, with 28 fewer flights per week, followed by the Gimpo-Gimhae route, which lost 24. Weekly flights on the Jeju-Daegu and Jeju-Cheongju routes also fell by 14 and five, respectively.

"Measures are needed to prevent regional airports from becoming deserted, as fewer flights could inconvenience travelers and lead to further financial losses, despite the government's pledge to revitalize them by expanding services and improving connections between international and domestic routes," Hwang said.