Korean Air increases Manila-Incheon flights starting Nov. 24

Korean Air 859 from Seoul-Incheon. (Photo By N509FZ/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

By Ma. Cristina Arayata, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – South Korea’s flag carrier Korean Air (KE) will increase its daily flights between the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and Incheon from three to four starting Nov. 24.

“The fourth daily frequency and strategic scheduling demonstrate our commitment to the Filipino market, supporting growing Korea-Philippines trade relations through continued route investment and capacity enhancement,” KE Philippines Country Manager Byung Kwon Lee told the Philippine News Agency on Wednesday.

The Seoul Incheon – Manila route is a vital route in the Southeast Asia network, Lee said, adding that the airline will enhance its night operations.

The additional flight will operate from Incheon at 9:40 p.m. and arrive at NAIA at 1:05 a.m.

From Manila, the additional flight will be scheduled at 2:20 a.m., arriving in Incheon at 7:25 a.m.

Lee said the new timing optimizes connections to KE’s extensive North American network.

KE will utilize the A321neo aircraft for the enhanced Incheon-Manila route.

“We remain committed to the Filipino market even in an evolving operational environment at NAIA,” Lee said when asked about the move to increase flight frequencies despite the higher aeronautical fees at the country’s main gateway since Oct. 1.

The airport is being managed by a consortium led by San Miguel Holdings Corporation in partnership with Incheon International Airport Corp.