Busan is good

Air routes to Europe and Americas to be expanded

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New routes mark the opening of Gimhae Int's Airport's new terminal

Busan City is making all possible efforts to open new international air routes and increase the number of existing flights to and from Gimhae International Airport in connection with the forthcoming completion of its new terminal building for international flights in October. With the completion of the new building, its passenger handling capacity will be increased from the present 1.54 million to 4.63 million a year.

Recently, the city invited representatives of foreign airlines to a forum held recently at Busan City Hall to discuss that possibility. Requests made by the attendees included the expansion of daily operation hours from the present 7 a.m.~10 p.m. to 6 a.m.~11 p.m., the reduction of rent fee of the new building, and the operation of public transportation means linking with neighboring cities such as Daegu or Gumi, Gyeongsangbuk-do. The city plans to comply with the requests as much as possible in cooperation with relevant government offices.

According to Busan City, the 204 weekly flights currently made to and from 25 cities in 10 countries should be increased drastically to meet the rapid increase in demand of more than 10 percent every year. In 2006, the number of passengers using the airport stood at 2.31 million. It also said that about 20 direct flights should be established to Germany, France and the Netherlands, in addition to more than four direct weekly flights to the Americas. There are now 14 weekly flights to the Americas, all via Japan and three flights to Munich, Germany.

Source: Dynamic Busan (July 01, 2007)