Airlines to begin 'int'l sightseeing flights' this weekend

Local airlines will begin operating "international sightseeing flights" this weekend to improve their profits as the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic weighs on the aviation industry. The special flights take passengers over other countries and then return to Korea. Passengers will get duty free benefits, after the government decided to allow these flights to be operated for about a year to support the ailing aviation and duty free industries. Asiana Airlines will begin flights over Kyushu, Saturday, utilizing its A380 fleet. Its planes will leave Incheon International Airport at 1 p.m. and fly over Busan, Miyazaki and Jeju Island, before returning to Incheon at 4:20 p.m. "We will offer passengers amenity kits and in-flight entertainment services," an Asiana official said. "Passengers can also earn frequent-flyer points, but we will not offer in-flight meals, in line with antivirus guidelines." The official said the service will be available until early January. Jeju Air will begin a similar service, also starting Saturday. <br/>