Air traffic up in 3rd quarter

International air cargoes and airline passengers increased in the third quarter despite skyrocketing oil prices and a slack domestic economy.

The Ministry of Construction and Transportation announced October 18 in a report titled "International aviation transportation results in the third quarter" that domestic airlines transported 7,509,000 passengers, an increase of 22% compared with the same period of last year, and 658,000 tons of cargoes in international flights, an increase of 15%.

China saw some of the greatest traffic increases with 1,623,000 passengers in the third quarter, increasing 51% over the same period of last year. Traffic to Thailand increased 26% with 493,000 passengers, while Japan increased 17% with 2,236,000 and Singapore increased 17% with 167,000 passengers.

Flights to Hong Kong recorded a 10% increase with 353,000 passengers and to the US recorded only a 7% increase up to 841,000.

Passengers between Seoul and Beijing numbered 402,000, increasing 40% compared with the same period of last year. Seoul-Tokyo lines transported 904,000 passengers, up 16%, and Seoul-Bangkok traffic increased 13% with 415,000 passengers.

On the down side, passengers between Seoul and Frankfurt dropped 3% to 141,000 passengers and Seoul-Sydney decreased 1% to 91,000.

Meanwhile, airlines filled 74% of their seating capacity, up 2% over last year.

A source from MOCT said, "Tourism from China and South-East Asia increased, while the 5-day work week system also contributed to higher air passage for tourists heading overseas in the third quarter."