South Korean Airlines Reroute Flights to Avoid North Korean Airspace

South Korean airlines Korean Air and Asiana Airlines have taken safety precautions by rerouting flights to stay clear of North Korean airspace following a warning from the communist country that it cannot guarantee the safety of passenger planes. The directive affects an average of 10 daily flights by South Korean flag carriers that typically use the Kamchatka route to connect Incheon International Airport with US cities and Russian destinations. This decision was made as a precautionary measure, with airlines citing the possibility of increased flight times and costs.

Key Takeaways:

• Korean Air and Asiana Airlines have ordered planes to change course and avoid North Korean airspace after a warning from Pyongyang that it cannot ensure passenger plane safety.
• An average of 10 daily flights by South Korean flag carriers use the Kamchatka route, which briefly passes through North Korean airspace over the East Sea.
• The rerouting will affect flights from the US, which typically use North Korean airspace as a fuel-saving measure, and will add up to an hour of flight time and approximately $2,500 in extra operating costs per flight.
• Korean Air has been in consultation with the government for the past two months regarding the use of North Korean airspace by its jets.
• Asiana has announced that all flights that previously flew into North Korean airspace will be redirected to ensure passenger safety.
• The joint South Korea-U.S. military exercise may be a contributing factor to North Korea's increased aggression in this matter.

Statistics:

• 10 daily flights by South Korean flag carriers use the Kamchatka route, which briefly passes through North Korean airspace.
• The rerouting will add up to an hour of flight time per flight.
• The added flight time results in approximately $2,500 in extra operating costs per flight.
• The Kamchatka route saves fuel by briefly passing through North Korean airspace.
• Korean Air has consulted with the government for the past 2 months regarding the use of North Korean airspace.

Sources:

• Asia Pulse, "South Korean Airlines Reroute Flights to Avoid North Korean Airspace"
• Yonhap, "South Korean Airlines Change Flight Route to Avoid North Korea"