S. Korea, Ecuador agree to open up new air route

SEOUL, Sept. 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and Ecuador agreed Tuesday to liberalize air transportation between the countries, allowing the launch of an air route connecting them for the first time in history, officials here said.
The agreement allows the start of any indirect passenger or cargo services between the countries, the Ministry of Land, Transportation and Maritime Affairs said. The sides had also considered allowing direct flights, but decided the long distance and low market demand were unfavorable for such a service.
"With the agreement, the government believes a new air route, connecting the two countries via the United States or a Central American country, will be launched in the near future," the ministry said in a news release.
It added Korean Air Co., South Korea's largest flag carrier, is already moving to begin air freight services to Ecuador before the end of the year.
South Korea currently has passenger flight service to Brazil, the country's only airline service to Central and South American nations.
Opening of a new air route to Ecuador is expected to further boost trade relations between South Korea and Ecuador, as well as with other South American nations, the ministry said.
Bilateral trade between South Korea and Ecuador nearly doubled from US$451 million in 2007 to $890 million last year.