According to Reuters, Korean Air Lines announced on 15 March that it would be rerouting its flights to Europe and Eastern North America. using Russian airspace, citing operational difficulties and safety concerns.
The airline also indicated that it would temporarily suspended all passenger and cargo services to and from Russia until the end of April. The suspended frequencies concern flights from Seoul to Moscow and Vladivostok, said Korean Air in a press release.
South Asia flyover
Flights on Seoul to Amsterdam, FrankfurtLondon Heathrow and Paris-CDG will be re-routed via other countries such as China Kazakhstan and Turkey. Depending on the destination, this could add up to 2 hours and 45 minutes per one-way flight. Flights departing from North American airports such as New York-Seoul will be re-routed via Alaska and the Pacific Ocean, adding up to 1 hour and 40 minutes per one-way flight, she added.
At Paris-CDG, which Korean Air serves three times a week (Monday, Wednesday and Saturday), flights will last 1 hour 30 minutes longer in the Paris-Incheon direction and 2 hours 05 minutes longer on the return journey.
The timetable is currently being finalised. According to Ludovic Froidure, the company's Director for France, Korean Air is still awaiting approval from all the civil aviation authorities of the countries overflown. Flights from Paris will take off thirty minutes earlier at around 8.30pm. On the Korean side, flights will take off 2h40 earlier than the current schedule. The final timetable should be announced shortly.
Korea opens up to the world again
The introduction of new flight routes is important. The Korea has just confirm its reopening to foreign travellers. It will be the first in North-East Asia. On 1 April, the country will officially open its doors to all travellers. But only if they have aa complete vaccination schedule.
The authorities consider people who have received 3 doses of vaccine or two doses of vaccine are authorisedThe 2nd dose should have been administered between 14 and 180 days before arrival in Korea.
Among the measures that are still compulsory when travelling to Korea are the followingcompulsory three tests. Passengers must undergo the first two (PCR) 48 hours before departure and on arrival. The cost is around 80/100 euros. A third antigen test must also be carried out on the 6th day (self-testing is possible).
Visitors must also register their travel details and vaccination documents on the Q-CODE system before departure.
" This is good news for the resumption of traffic. And it gives Korean Air the opportunity to ramp up its operations. We will be offering a fourth weekly flight on Fridays from 29 April." says Ludovic Froidure.
