From Prague to Seoul, Korean Air Launches Direct Flights to One of the World’s Most Densely Populated and Technologically Advanced Capitals

This new route will significantly boost the currently absent capacity not only to Korea, but also to other destinations in Asia with traditionally strong demand, for example Thailand, Japan, Vietnam, alongside Indonesia and Australia, using connecting flights from Seoul. Regular flights were last operated on the route in March 2020. Resumptions of long-haul connections are one of the top priorities for Jiří Pos, Chairman of the Prague Airport Board of Directors: “This is an important milestone not only on the way to resuming operations and returning to the 2019 figures, but also in terms of building a network of direct routes to Asia. Korea is one of the markets with the highest demand within the Asian region,” Mr. Pos said.

Prague – the Central European Flagship

“At the heart of the Korean Air’s Central European network, Prague is a flagship destination that boasts centuries of rich history and cultural heritage. The service resumption will give us an opportunity to pick up where we left off in fostering active exchanges between the two countries in many different fields.” Jeong Soo Park, Korean Air Managing Vice President and Head of Passenger Network, added.

Jan Herget, Czechtourism Director, believes that thanks to the direct route, there will be a recovery of Korean incoming tourism. “While in 2019, we recorded 387 thousand arrivals of tourists from the Republic of Korea, a year later, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, only 42 thousand Koreans arrived. In 2021, the number dropped even more, to eight thousand visitors. Tourists from Asia are key for the Czech tourism industry for their high creditworthiness. The average daily spending is around four thousand crowns,” Mr. Herget noted.

František Cipro, Chairman of the Prague City Tourism Board of Directors, explained that the connection between Prague and Seoul was the result of the coordinated activities of all key stakeholders. “We are very happy for the resumed service, because it will bring travellers from Asia, who are currently absent in the city, back to Prague,” Mr. Cipro said.

Successful Pre-Covid Route

In 2019, the connection from Prague to Seoul was very successful. In total, over 190 thousand passengers travelled between Prague and Seoul in both directions throughout the year.

The atmosphere of the South Korean capital can best be absorbed by visiting the five royal palaces of the Joseon Dynasty in the Jongno-gu and Jung-gu districts, namely Deoksugung, Gyeongbokgung, Gyeonghuigung, Changdeokgung, and Changgyeonggung. Four historical gates can also be seen in the city, the most famous of which is the Namdaemum (South Gate) located near the market of the same name. The historical walls of the city are also of interest.