Asiana to connect Melbourne with South Korea

Asiana Airlines said it will launch seasonal flights between Melbourne Airport and Seoul Incheon Airport from December. The full-service carrier will operate two direct flights a week between Melbourne Airport and the South Korean capital using an Airbus A350 aircraft. With a population of more than nine million people, Seoul is a global economic hub and the gateway to one of the world’s manufacturing powerhouses as well as being the home of K-Pop! Flights will operate every Tuesday and Thursday from December 26, departing Melbourne at 10pm and arriving at Incheon the following morning. Melbourne Airport Chief of Aviation Jim Parashos said Asiana’s arrival would give Victorians direct access to one of Asia’s most influential cities. “We are excited to welcome Asiana to Melbourne and to add Seoul to our growing network”, he said. “These direct services will mean Victoria travellers and exporters can avoid the cost and inconvenience of transiting through another city to reach South Korea. Victoria has increasingly close business links to South Korea, with companies making significant investments in our state, such as the new Hanwha Defence facility at Geelong. Melbourne Airport’s own ties with South Korea have been growing, with one of the country’s largest companies, Lotte, taking over operation of the airport’s duty free business in June. As the home of K-Pop, South Korea is attracting an increasing number of Australian tourists, while Melbourne’s major events such as the Australian Open are a huge drawcard for Korean visitors. We expect this seasonal service will prove popular, and we are hopeful it will pave the way for regular, year-round flights in the future.” For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Kay Rolland at [email protected]