Asiana to reopen 13 int'l routes in June as virus woes ease

Asiana Airlines said Thursday it will resume flights on 13 international routes next month as the coronavirus outbreak seems to have passed its peak. The move comes on the heels of its bigger local rival Korean Air's similar plan. Asiana plans to restart flight services on 13 international routes ― one to Seattle and 12 to Chinese cities, such as Beijing and Shanghai ― from June 1, while increasing the number of flights on six other routes to cities like Frankfurt, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the company said. "The decision is aimed at meeting business travel demand though leisure travel demand has yet to recover amid the virus fears," a company spokesman said. The move will help raise Asiana's flight utilization rate to 17% in June from 8% a month earlier, the statement said. Asiana offered flight services to 64 cities in 21 countries through 75 international routes as of Jan. 1. In its self-rescue measures, Asiana had all of its 10,500 employees begin taking unpaid leave for 15 days a month in April until business circumstances normalize. Asiana's executives have also agreed to forgo 60% of their wages. Its bigger rival Korean Air also plans to resume flights on 19 international routes next month.<br/>