News
Korean Air adds capacity on routes to Japan to meet demand for convenient transfers
February 5th 2026
Starting February 1, 2026, Korean Air (KAL) increased the number of flights on the Seoul Incheon-Tokyo Narita route to five a day until March 28, 2026, from four. Read More » Together with the Seoul Gimpo-Tokyo Haneda routes, the South Korean carrier will offer nine daily flights between the cities. Starting March 29, 2026, KAL will increase flights on the Seoul Incheon–Aomori route to five round-trip flights per week from three. Korean Air operates the Aomori route exclusively, allowing it to maintain stable fares without the discount pressure seen on major routes such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka, The Korea Times reported. The Aomori route recorded an average load factor of 82.6% last year, placing it among KAL’s more profitable services. Beyond Korean tourists, the route also attracts local outbound travelers who use Seoul Incheon as a transfer hub for international flights, as it is more convenient than domestic Tokyo Narita and Tokyo Haneda airports. The expanded service is expected to bolster Korean Air’s foothold in this niche market while advancing its broader strategy to position Incheon as Northeast Asia’s premier transit hub.
