The government on Nov. 19 announced that it would allow "no-destination" flights in Korea for a year. (Yonhap News)

By Lee Hana

"No-destination" flights that take off and land where they started without stops and covering foreign airspace will be allowed in Korea for one year, with duty-free shopping for passengers allowed like on regular flights.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Hong Nam-ki on Nov. 19 said, "We decided to introduce no-destination flights, a new tourism product, to support our airline industry and encourage the atmosphere for consumer spending."

He announced plans for such flights during an Emergency Economic Council meeting at Government Complex-Seoul.

The no-destination flights will depart from Incheon International Airport and fly in and around the airspace of neighboring countries for two to three hours before returning home. They will be run for a one-year period.

Passengers will be exempt from self-quarantine and testing for COVID-19 upon reentering the country at the end of each flight.

They can also receive the same duty-free shopping benefits as on regular flights. Taxes will be exempt up to USD 600 of goods, a one-liter bottle of liquor worth up to USD 400, 200 packs of cigarettes and up to 60 ml of perfume.

Six airlines -- Korean Air, Asiana and the low-cost carriers Jeju Air, Jin Air, T'way Air and Air Busan -- are said to be preparing to offer these flights.

hlee10@korea.kr