Local carriers compete over international flights

SEOUL, March 29 (Yonhap) -- As South Korea's budget carriers take a bigger share
of the domestic market, competition between the rival airlines has heated up over
international flights, industry sources said Monday.

Low-cost carriers have expanded overseas flights, with three out of four airlines
providing regular services abroad, according to the sources.
Jeju Air Co., the nation's top budget carrier, began exclusive flight services
between Gimpo, west of Seoul, and the Japanese city of Nagoya on Monday, the
carrier said.
The carrier's service on the route marks its fifth overseas flight, following
routes between Incheon, the country's main gateway, and two Japanese cities of
Kitakyushu and Osaka, an Incheon-Bangkok route and the Gimpo-Osaka route.
Air Busan Co. on Monday launched its first overseas service from Busan, the
nation's largest port city, to the Japanese city of Fukuoka, the airline said.
The airline, launched in October of 2008, will also provide services on a route
linking Busan to Osaka starting April 26.
Jin Air Co., a subsidiary of the nation's top carrier Korean Air Lines Co., said
it will launch its second overseas route between Incheon and the U.S. resort
island of Guam starting April 20.
Jin Air opened its first overseas flight from Incheon to Bangkok in December.
Eastar Jet Co., which has been offering nonscheduled international flights since
late last year, plans to service regular flights abroad including to Southeast
Asian cities and Japan this year.
kimnh@yna.co.kr
(END)

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