Korean flights to Saipan fully booked amid travel bubble arrangement

Seats for fights bound for Saipan from South Korea are nearly packed, with boarding rate averaging 94%, according to Asiana Airlines. South Korea is under travel bubble arrangement with the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, where Saipan is located. Although the boarding rate came to 66%, the tickets are fully booked as booking is restricted to 70% to ensure space between passengers amid virus mandate. Korea`s No. 2 full-service carrier operates the Incheon-Saipan route twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. From July last year until January this year, there were 6,400 cumulative passengers on Asiana Airlines’ Incheon-Saipan route. The number of passengers on the Incheon-Saipan route peaked over the Lunar New Year holiday, rising to 98%, the highest since the travel bubble arrangement was first signed. Booking reached 80% for February and March. “Saipan became a popular destination for honeymoons and group tours as it started to be regarded as a safe location,” said Asiana Airlines in a statement. Under travel bubble arrangement, travelers do not have to be isolated upon presentation of negative test result and vaccination certificate. Unvaccinated children also can enter with vaccinated adult.<br/>