Korean passengers break record in November
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Korea’s air passenger traffic reached a new record for November on the back of the rise in the number of Chinese tourists and increased overseas travel demand, government data showed Tuesday. The number of air passengers came to 9.57 million last month, up 5.6 percent from a year earlier, making it a new record for November, according to a tally from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
The ministry attributed the surge to the return of Chinese visitors and the steady increase in overseas travel demand.
Passenger traffic on Chinese routes spiked 24 percent to 1.32 million, slightly lower than the same month in 2016, when a row between the two countries over the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) missile system had yet to emerge.
China banned the sale of group travel packages to South Korea in March 2017 due to a diplomatic row with Seoul over the deployment of a Thaad battery in Korea. China has since partially lifted the ban.
International air passenger traffic rose 8.8 percent on year to a record 7.01 million last month, while domestic passenger traffic dropped 2.5 percent to 2.56 million, according to the ministry.
Questions & Answers
Q.What was the total number of air passengers recorded in November?
What was the total number of air passengers recorded in November?
The total number of air passengers last month was 9.57 million. This figure represents a 5.6 percent increase compared to the previous year, setting a new record for November passenger traffic.
Q.What is the primary reason for the increase in Korean air passenger traffic?
What is the primary reason for the increase in Korean air passenger traffic?
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport attributed the surge in air passenger traffic to two main factors: the return of Chinese visitors and a consistent increase in demand for overseas travel among passengers.
Q.How did passenger traffic on Chinese routes compare to pre-Thaad deployment levels?
How did passenger traffic on Chinese routes compare to pre-Thaad deployment levels?
Passenger traffic on Chinese routes reached 1.32 million, a 24 percent spike. However, this figure was still slightly lower than the number recorded in November 2016, before the diplomatic row over the Thaad missile system.
Q.Did both international and domestic air travel see an increase in November?
Did both international and domestic air travel see an increase in November?
No, only international air passenger traffic increased, rising 8.8 percent to a record 7.01 million. Conversely, domestic passenger traffic experienced a 2.5 percent decline, reaching 2.56 million last month.
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