Jeju Air’s CEO E-Bae Kim announced that Jeju Air is adding a new, direct passenger air service between Busan, South Korea, and Saipan during a meeting with Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, who is in Seoul this week with MVA Acting Chair Gloria Cavanagh and MVA Managing Director Chris Concepcion.
JEJU Air on Thursday announced the expansion of its air service to Saipan by adding a new direct flight between Busan, South Korea and Saipan.
Jeju Air Chief Executive Officer E-Bae Kim made the announcement during a meeting with Gov. Arnold I. Palacios who is in Seoul, South Korea with Marianas Visitor Authority Acting Chair Gloria Cavanagh and MVA Managing Director Chris Concepcion.
“We are thankful to Jeju Air for expanding its service to Saipan to include the Busan-to-Saipan route,” the governor said.
“We will continue to partner with Jeju Air and other airline partners to continue to grow and expand the Korea tourism market,” he added.
Kim said the CNMI is one of the top destination markets for Koreans, and an additional route will help meet the growing demand.
“We are looking at other ways we can increase seats and flight service to the CNMI, and we thank Governor Palacios for his friendship and partnership,” he said.
Jeju Air’s new route will begin on July 19, 2023, but the tickets are already on sale on the Jeju Air website. The route will be evaluated to determine whether it can be sustained for a longer period.
The airline already provides two flights each day between Saipan and Seoul.
Busan, South Korea’s second most populous city after Seoul, is located at the southeast tip of the Korean peninsula. It is a large port city known for its beaches, mountains, and temples.
Jeju Air, which has the largest seat capacity from Korea to the CNMI, also announced the addition of a third daily flight service from June 29 to July 19
Governor Palacios and the MVA officials are in Seoul this week to meet with Korean government, airline and tour partners as part of the CNMI’s efforts to expand its primary tourism market.
Commonwealth Ports Authority Board Chair Kimberlyn King-Hinds said Jeju Air’s announcement is good news for CPA and the CNMI economy.
