05/27(Mon) 16:19

Gimpo-Haneda Route to be Launched for World Cup

With the World Cup finals fast approaching, Incheon International Airport is experiencing busier-than-ever traffic with growing numbers of tourists rushing into the country. The bustling business especially between the two co-hosting countries, South Korea and Japan has airport authorities stepping up flight services. To this end, Gimpo, which was turned into a domestic airport after the opening of Incheon 14 months ago, will recover its international status for the World Cup to service flights to Japan's Haneda Airport.

The Gimpo-Haneda route is set to go into service from Thursday, a day before the World Cup kick-off, employing MD-82 carriers, which will accommodate up to 156 passengers per trip. By flying into Gimpo, passengers will save both time and money, according to airport officials, because by flying into Gimpo passengers can shorten their travel time into downtown Seoul by an hour as opposed to arriving in Incheon, and the air fare will be about 20% cheaper than that of Incheon-Narita.

And with just days numbered before the launch of the service, officials are moving quickly to set up immigration inspection centers and duty free shops to meet the influx of passengers.

(Arirang TV)