{
  "id": 16434257,
  "title": "Korea to expand int'l flights in winter season",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/korea-to-expand-intl-flights-in-winter-season",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-25T05:22:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/20261025/korea-to-expand-intl-flights-in-winter-season"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Korean government has announced plans to expand international flights during the winter season, according to a statement from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. This move aims to capitalize on the high travel demand expected during this period.\n\nBy October 25, 2026, and ending on March 27, 2027, a total of 5,353 weekly international flights will be operating across 264 routes to 44 countries. This represents a 7.6 percent increase compared to the 4,973 flights that were scheduled during the winter season of the previous year. Importantly, this expansion surpasses the pre-pandemic level of 4,980 flights during the winter of 2019.\n\nThe increase in international flights will be driven primarily by additional services to Japan and China. Specifically, weekly flights to these two countries will increase by 314 and 232 respectively. This growth is attributed to the strong inbound and outbound travel demand from these regions.",
  "summary": "Korea will increase international passenger flights for the winter season, with more services to Japan and China amid strong travel demand, the transport ministry said Sunday. A total of 5,353 weekly international flights are scheduled on 264 routes connecting 44 countries during the winter season from Oct. 25 to March 27 of 2027, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.…",
  "key_points": [
    "Korean government plans to expand international flights in winter season",
    "5,353 weekly international flights across 264 routes to 44 countries",
    "Increase driven by additional services to Japan and China"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Increasing flight capacity beyond pre-pandemic levels signals a full recovery for the aviation sector as the government prioritizes high-demand regional routes to Japan and China.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "S. Korea to expand int'l flights in winter season",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/s-korea-to-expand-intl-flights-in-winter-season",
        "published": "2026-10-25T04:46:31.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}