Korean Air announces a new non-stop service between Seoul – Incheon (ICN) and Budapest (BUD) initially with one weekly frequency starting October 3 and from October 31 increases to two flights per week. The Hungarian capital will be the South Korean airline’s ninth destination in Europe for the 2022/2023 winter season.
In February 2020, the airline started cargo operations at Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD), then planned a seasonal passenger route from May 23, 2020, with three flights per week on Airbus A330-200s, but these plans were canceled in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic health crisis.
In an analysis by annaaero, the Hungarian capital was the third most underserved destination at Incheon International Airport (ICN) with 51,931 passengers between September 2017 to October 2018, this demand significantly drew the attention of airlines to start non-stop operations.
Currently the route between Budapest (BUD) and Seoul (ICN) is served by LOT Polish Airlines operating twice weekly flights on Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, Korean Air will compete directly with the Polish carrier in this segment, in addition it will be the third airline to offer long-haul flights in the Hungarian capital for this winter.
The start of this non-stop service by the South Korean carrier stems from the high demand from leisure and corporate passengers, the latter due to the Hungarian government’s growing investment in the automotive sector that has attracted many South Korean-based companies to Hungary, increasing the demand for business travel.
Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) continues to restore its long-haul network, during this summer season LOT Polish resumed operations to Seoul (ICN) and New York (JFK), the only connection from Budapest (BUD) to North America; and in July Air China resumed operations from Beijing Capital (PEK) being the first Asia-Pacific connection to return to the Hungarian capital.
Flight Itinerary between Seoul (ICN) and Budapest (BUD)
From October 1st to October 29th
- Flight KE 971 ICN 11:25 – BUD 17:05 Monday.
- Flight KE 972 BUD 19:15 – ICN 12:50+1 Monday.
From October 31
- Flight KE 961 ICN 12:25 – BUD 17:15 Monday and Saturday.
- Flight KE 962 BUD 19:35 – ICN 14:15+1 Monday and Saturday.
The route will be operated on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft with a capacity of 269 seats in two classes (24 Business Class/245 Economy) and promotional fares are available from USD 533 one way.
According to data obtained by Aviacionline through South Korea’s aeronautical statistics center AirPortal, in 2019 17,370 passengers and 798 tons of cargo were moved in 86 air operations between Seoul – Incheon (ICN) and Budapest (BUD).
Korean Air’s schedule in Europe for the 2022/2023 winter season.
- Amsterdam (AMS) four flights per week.
- Barcelona (BCN) three times a week.
- Paris (CDG) daily flights.
- Rome – Fiumicino (FCO) three times a week.
- Frankfurt (FRA) five times a week.
- London – Heathrow (LHR) daily flights.
- Milan – Malpensa (MXP) three times a week.
- Vienna (VIE) three times a week.
- Budapest (BUD) twice a week.
See also: Korean Air resumes flights to Barcelona and Rome
