From left, Régine Biscoe Lee president & CEO, Guam Visitors Bureau; Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero; Jong Seob Koh, managing vice president, KE regional headquarters; and Hyeong Seong Lim, group leader, KE sales support team at the Guam Office of the Governor.
HAGÅTÑA (Office of the Guam Governor) — Governor Lou Leon Guerrero, Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio, and the Guam Visitors Bureau have been working diligently to increase flights to Guam as the island’s tourism industry continues to recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, Typhoon Mawar, and the rapidly changing global tourism landscape. Korean Air has agreed to increase the number of night flights from Incheon to Guam from one to two flights per day, if the Guam Legislature agrees to fund incentives. This is welcome news as Guam continues to rebuild and diversify its tourism base following the global pandemic and evolving regional travel trends.
“Guam is a favorite destination for Korean visitors, and we want to create more opportunities to welcome them here,” said Governor Leon Guerrero, who met with Korean Air leadership this week. “Whether it’s adding new routes, working with travel agents, or supporting promotions with our tourism partners, we are committed to strengthening our tourism industry and economy. I hope the legislature will be just as willing to work with us and appropriate the funding necessary to secure and sustain this growth.”
Korean Air conducts regular promotion campaigns and recently brought 103 top travel agents to Guam for a three-night, four-day stay. Feedback from the agents was overwhelmingly positive, and the agents were able to stay at various hotel properties across the island, demonstrating the diversity of Guam’s accommodations and optional tours. Governor Leon Guerrero encouraged Korean Air to continue bringing travel agents to Guam, especially during Korea’s winter season.
“More seats mean more opportunities for our tourism industry, more support for local businesses, and greater access for our residents to the world,” said Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio. “The investments we make today in expanding air service are about securing a brighter, more connected future for Guam.”
The Governor also confirmed that low-cost carrier Air Busan is working on opening direct flights from Busan to Guam, a move that complements a broader goal of expanding access from new and underserved cities. Korean Air confirmed that, although its merger with Asiana Airlines is not yet complete, multiple subsidiaries, including Air Busan, are expected to consolidate into two major carriers by the end of 2026
“This is great news for Guam,” said GVB President and CEO Régine Biscoe Lee. “More flights mean more opportunities — for tourism, for our local economy, and for cultural exchange. We look forward to working closely with Korean Air and our tourism industry partners to make these opportunities a reality.”
These increased flights are a direct result of the Governor’s mission to Korea last November. During that trip, she and GVB officials met face-to-face with CEOs from Korean Air, Jeju Air, Jin Air, and T’way, with the specific goal of increasing flights to Guam to help boost Guam’s tourism industry. GVB and GIAA leadership followed up with Korean Air in April of this year as part of an ongoing effort to increase arrivals from Korea to Guam.
Korean Air has even expressed interest in exploring a direct route between Taichung, Taiwan, and Guam, a request supported by the mayor of Taichung.
