South Korea: Airlines to retain air traffic rights without flying

The government is poised to further extend the period when airlines can suspend flights without losing their air traffic rights for the routes, as the pandemic continues to affect the aviation industry. According to sources close to the matter, the new extension is currently being “positively considered,” as the current extension comes to an end next month. “Given the prolonged pandemic, the measure is being positively considered to help support airlines,” one Transport Ministry official said. “Similar to the decision to delay the withdrawal of traffic rights last year, the move is part of the efforts to help the industry that has still not recovered,” the official added. In March last year, the government announced a comprehensive plan to support the virus-hit aviation sector. Measures included delaying the withdrawal of air traffic rights and allocated slots from airlines, as well as lowering landing fees to give the industry some breathing space in a year marred by the pandemic. According to data from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the number of airline passengers saw a 68.1% year-on-year drop to the lowest level in 20 years. The number of international air travelers dropped by 84.2% to 14.24m. Airlines normally have to cancel flights on routes they have not flown for over six to 12 months. <br/>