Major S. Korean carriers set to expand routes to U.S.

SEOUL, Nov. 12 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's top two airlines said Wednesday that
they are planning to resume or expand their routes to the U.S. after the
implementation of the U.S. visa waiver program for South Korea next Monday.
South Korea was added to the visa waiver program on Oct. 17 that allows its
citizens to visit the U.S. for up to 90 days without a visa, along with six
countries, including the Czech Republic.
"Demand for air travel to the U.S. is expected to jump in the long term after the
visa waiver program for South Korea goes into effect. A recent fall in oil prices
will help increase the demand," said an official at Korean Air Lines Co.
Korean Air, South Korea's biggest carrier plans to fly three times a week on its
route between Incheon, the main gateway to South Korea, and Las Vegas beginning
Dec. 16, which had been closed since Sept. 2 due to soaring jet fuel prices, the
company said.
Korean Air will also expand its flights on the routes between Incheon and
Washington and Incheon and San Francisco from four times a week to seven as early
as next month.
The country's second-largest carrier Asiana Airlines Inc. will expand its flights
on its Incheon-Seattle route to four times a week from three starting Dec. 11.
Asiana Airlines plans to expand the number of weekly flights between Incheon and
Los Angeles from 11 to 14 from Dec. 16, the company said.
ksnam@yna.co.kr
(END)