Flights between Gimpo International Airport in Seoul and Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan, will be resumed from June 29. Shown are Japan-bound passengers on the morning of March 8, 2020, at the international departure section of the Gimpo airport going through the boarding process. (Yonhap News)

By Kim Hyelin and Lee Jihae

Flights between Gimpo International Airport in Seoul and Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan, will be resumed late this month for the first time in two years and three months after being suspended due to COVID-19.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs on June 22 said they agreed with the Japanese side to resume eight weekly flights between both airports from June 29.

Korean Air (Wednesday and Saturday), Asiana (Wednesday and Saturday), Japan Airlines (Thursday and Sunday) and All Nippon Airways (Monday and Friday) will each run two weekly flights between both airports. The two countries will increase the number of flights next month given higher demand and the preparatory status of the carriers.

Launched in 2003, the Gimpo-Haneda route used to see a 98% occupancy rate in peak season thanks to excellent accessibility between Seoul and Tokyo. The number of regular weekly flights on the route was 84 in 2019 but the route was suspended in March 2020 due to the outbreak of the pandemic.

The short-term visa C-3, which was suspended from April 2020, will be resumed this month, enabling trips between Korea and Japan on the Gimpo-Haneda route. Japan permits only group tours by Koreans at this time, but Japanese may visit Korea either individually or in groups.

Using the route's resumption as an opportunity, the Culture Ministry plans to open welcome booths for foreign visitors at the Gimpo airport and spread the word on the resumption of tourism in Korea.

kimhyelin211@korea.kr