The governments of South Korea and the United Arab Emirates have concluded talks to increase the number of commercial flights between the two countries from 15 to 21 per week, according to the South Korean transportation ministry on Saturday. The agreement was reached during aviation talks held in Seoul on Thursday and Friday.
The UAE had requested a significant rise in the maximum number of flights that could be conducted between the two countries, and the decision was made in light of the UAE’s commitment to invest $30 billion in South Korea. It is thought to be a sign of the expansion of bilateral cooperation in the field of aviation transport.
However, the South Korean aviation industry has expressed fears that the decision could have a negative effect on their businesses, particularly those that involve European flights. Korean Air Co. currently operates flights to Dubai with A330 airliners seven days a week, and Emirates and Etihad Airways both run daily flights between the two countries.
An aviation expert commented that the decision should have been made after extensive discussion with the South Korean aviation industry, as it could “erode the competitiveness of South Korea’s national carrier.” Previous bilateral aviation talks in 2018 and 2019 had seen the UAE make the same demand, but it was rejected due to concerns about the impact it would have on the local aviation industry.