Asiana Airlines began operating direct flights between Incheon and Melbourne on Dec. 26. It plans to operate non-regular flights once a week to Melbourne, Australia, by Feb. 20 next year.
Melbourne is Australia’s second largest city and is a tourist attraction called "Europe in Australia." Melbourne, which has been named the No. 1 city in Britain’s "Good City for Living" for six years in a row due to its natural combination, is a favorite city among Korean tourists, with its streets dotted with European-style buildings and comfortable rest and sightseeing in the city center.
In particular, Melbourne has several tourist points to enjoy the nature, including the Great Ocean Road, one of the top 10 must-visit destinations in the world by UNESCO, and the Yarra Valley Tour, which offers high-quality wine in the beautiful natural landscape.
As such, Melbourne is a city in the spotlight by tourists during the winter, but there has been no direct route between Incheon and Melbourne, forcing visitors to use the route.
However, the launch of Asiana Airlines is expected to enhance the convenience of Korean travelers visiting the airport.
Earlier, Asiana Airlines operated the first direct flight between Incheon and Lisbon in Korea in October, and has been operating direct flights between Incheon and Cairo since Dec. 6.
Asiana Airlines presented the change to a long-distance network airline last year, which was the 30th anniversary of its foundation, as a vision to prepare for a new 30-year period, an Asiana Airlines official said.