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Promotion of Direct Flights to the Middle East from Busan
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has agreed to establish a dedicated air transport right for regional airports four times a week in cooperation with the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This greatly increases the likelihood of opening direct flight routes from Busan Gimhae Airport to the Middle East, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Previously, traveling from Busan to Europe, Africa, or the Middle East required transferring via Incheon Airport, but this agreement is expected to significantly enhance the convenience of international travel for residents of the Busan and Gyeongnam areas.
With discussions around the possibility of Emirates Airlines operating from Busan, local residents' expectations are growing. This decision is expected to make a significant contribution to expanding the international transport network in the Busan area.
Effects of the New UAE Air Rights
At the recent ICAN (International Civil Aviation Organization Air Transport Negotiation Conference), the South Korean government decided to establish a dedicated air transport right for regional airports four times a week through negotiations with the UAE. Until now, flights between South Korea and the UAE had been primarily operated from Incheon Airport with 21 flights per week, but the direct flight demand between regional hubs and the Middle East had not been met.
The biggest achievement of this agreement is that it provides a legal basis for opening direct flight routes from Gimhae Airport across the UAE.
A government official stated that they will swiftly support the licensing procedures for airlines applying for regional-UAE routes and expressed a strong commitment to expanding the international aviation network centered around regional airports.
Possibility of Emirates Flights
The opening of direct flight routes from Gimhae Airport largely depends on the airline's strategy, but currently, the possibility of Emirates Airlines operating in Busan is being rated highly.
The reasons are as follows: Emirates Airlines plans to open an office in Central Busan in 2025, which is interpreted as part of preparations for ground operations and workforce acquisition for future flights.
Moreover, the competitiveness of the transfer network connecting Busan and Dubai is also a significant factor. Dubai International Airport serves as a large hub airport connecting to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and South America, and the connectivity for passengers departing from Busan is not inferior when compared to those departing from Incheon.
Emirates Airlines is regarded as a highly marketable and expandable airline. Conversely, Etihad Airlines has shown relatively quiet progress. Currently, it is reported that they are considering operating routes to Busan.
However, due to the structure of Gimhae Airport's runways and taxiways, it is difficult for large aircraft like the A380 or B777-9 to operate. Therefore, experts predict that the deployment of A350-900 (A359) or B787-9 is the most realistic option.
Highlighting the Advantages of Dubai Transit
With the opening of direct flight routes from Busan to Dubai, travel convenience will be greatly improved.
Major cities in Europe can now be easily accessed with just one transfer, allowing connections to various cities such as London, Paris, Rome, Istanbul, and Frankfurt. Furthermore, a transfer network to Africa, the Middle East, and South America will be secured, significantly enhancing international competitiveness from Busan and the surrounding area.
In particular, the complicated procedures previously required to transfer through Incheon Airport or via Hong Kong or Beijing to travel to Europe from Busan will be eliminated. In the future, an efficient route from Busan to Europe via Dubai will be established.
Expansion of New Routes from Gimhae Airport
Recently, the possibility of new dedicated air transport rights for regional airports, including those to the UAE, is being considered for Gimhae Airport. Finnair has postponed the launch of its Helsinki route due to the war in Russia, and LOT Polish Airlines is reviewing its Warsaw route. Turkish Airlines is also considering operating its Istanbul route, while Canot Shark Airlines operates its Tashkent route.
Additionally, Air Busan is conducting operations on the Bali route and is reviewing the Jakarta route. However, Gimhae Airport still faces structural limitations such as a short runway, mountainous terrain to the north, and limited taxiways, which are pointed out as ongoing issues. These factors are likely to impact the potential operations of airlines in the future.
Expectations for the Era of Direct Flights from Busan
The prospect of direct flights connecting Busan and Dubai has shifted from ‘possibility’ to actual implementation stage. With the air rights officially established, the remaining process is solely the decision of the airlines to operate.
In particular, with the establishment of the Emirates Airlines office in Busan, active government support for licensing, and high demand for transit, there is a very strong outlook for the realization of direct flights connecting Gimhae Airport and Dubai in the near future.
If this direct flight route is officially opened, not only will the mobility of residents in the Busan and Gyeongnam areas be improved, but the competitiveness of Busan as an international city will also be enhanced. Additionally, it is expected to have a positive impact on local tourism and business activation.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Will a direct flight route to the Middle East be established from Gimhae Airport in Busan?
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the UAE have established a dedicated air transport right for regional airports four times a week, increasing the likelihood of direct flights from Gimhae Airport to the Middle East.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has agreed to cooperate with the UAE to establish a dedicated air transport right for regional airports four times a week. This has made it possible to open direct flight routes from Busan Gimhae Airport to the Middle East, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Previously, transfers via Incheon Airport were mandatory, but this agreement is expected to greatly improve access to international travel for residents of Busan and the surrounding areas.
Q. What is the possibility of Emirates Airlines operating in Busan?
With plans to establish an office in Busan, Emirates Airlines is highly evaluated for its likelihood of operating flights here.
Emirates Airlines is planning to open an office in Central Busan in 2025, which is seen as preparation for ground operations and workforce acquisition for future flight operations. Additionally, it is expected to play a significant role in strengthening international flight connectivity for passengers departing from Busan using Dubai International Airport's transfer network. Therefore, there are strong expectations that direct flights from Busan to Dubai will be highly probable.
Q. What are the structural limitations regarding the opening of new international routes from Gimhae Airport?
Due to structural limitations, large aircraft cannot operate at Gimhae Airport.
Due to the runway length, taxiway structure, and mountainous terrain to the north, it is currently difficult for large aircraft such as the A380 or B777-9 to operate at Gimhae Airport. Experts believe that the introduction of medium to large aircraft like the A350-900 or B787-9 is the most realistic alternative. These structural characteristics may significantly affect future airline operations and route management.
Q. What advantages will there be if a direct flight route from Busan to Dubai is established?
Direct flights between Busan and Dubai will enhance travel convenience and allow for various connections to Europe.
The opening of direct flight routes will allow passengers to travel directly from Busan to Dubai, making travel more convenient. Dubai, as an international hub airport, connects to major cities in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and South America, enabling Busan passengers to easily connect to key European cities like London, Paris, and Rome with just one transfer. This enhances Busan's competitiveness in international flights through a strengthened transit network.
Q. What significance does the establishment of dedicated air transport rights between the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport and the UAE hold?
It provides the basis for promoting direct flight routes from regional airports to the Middle East and contributes to the expansion of the international aviation network.
At the ICAN conference, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the UAE agreed to establish dedicated air transport rights for regional airports four times a week, allowing for the fulfillment of direct flight demand between regional hubs and the Middle East, breaking away from the existing Incheon-centric operation system. This sets a legal basis for the expansion of international flights from Gimhae Airport and signals the government's commitment to contribute to expanding the international aviation network and revitalizing the local economy through support for airline licensing.
