MERS hurting on airlines and car ferries

Airlines and car ferries are facing emergency alerts as foreign tourists avoid visiting Korea because of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

Jaeil Byun at the New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) said that international passengers for Korean Airlines (KAL) made 80 thousand cancellations while 63 thousand customers cancelled at Asiana Airlines (Asiana) from May 31st to June 12th.

As customers have rapidly decreased, KAL reduced 17 air routes among 30 Chinese routes for a month from June 18th. Asiana also cut 7 lines flying to Hong Kong and Shanghai for 52 round-trips until June 30th.

Foreign airlines have also downsized Korea services due to MERS. Hong Kong Express Airways and Cathay Pacific Airways decided to temporarily reduce Korea services.

Even car ferries that used to enjoy the favor of Chinese passengers have seen business reduced due to MERS. Chinese tourists that used to increase in May are now rarely visiting Korea due to concerns over MERS. According to the ferry industry, the greater part of Chinese group travelers have cancelled their bookings, with only a few small traders traveling. Coastal cruise liners that call at domestic ports are also considering substituting their ports of call with ports in Japan.

If MERS continues to spread for long, the damage to airline and car ferry businesses could intensify.

< Korea Shipping Gazette >