Korean Air Launch New Seoul to Budapest Route

Korean Air is one of the latest to launch flights from Seoul to Budapest.

The airline will operate a weekly service to Budapest from its Seoul-Incheon hub, beginning on 3 October 2022, and then begin to increase its operations to twice a week by end-October until the end of the winter 2022 season.

Why Korean Air is expanding its route

With the increased demand for travel to North East Asia, Korean Air wants to be able to provide this service to customers. The Seoul to Budapest route is set to be popular in both directions.

Budapest is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a rich history and beautiful landscapes, while Seoul similarly contains five UNESCO World Heritage Sites as well as its rich culture and cuisine. Not only is there expected to be high demand for the route from tourists, but also from businesses.

Many Korean companies are operating in Hungary as a result of the Hungarian Government’s investment policy in the car manufacturing industry. In 2019 and 2021 Hungary also received large investments from Korea, resulting in very strong business traffic in both directions.

LOT Polish Airlines, which already operates the route twice-weekly is set to be the main competition when it comes to customers.

Later, the airline is set to increase the frequency to three times weekly flights, with the route between the two capital cities being operated by a Korean Air Boeing 787-900 Dreamliner.

Balázs Bogáts, Head of Airline Development, Budapest Airport, says:

“It is fantastic to see that there is yet another long-haul route being launched from Budapest to Seoul in October. The market demand to and from South Korea is considerable enough to support an increase to three weekly flights and we are sure it will become yet another highly successful new route.”

Park Jeong Soo, Managing Vice President and Head of Passenger Network, Korean Air says:

“We had considered Budapest as an attractive destination even before the pandemic. Korean Air’s inaugural flight to Budapest will allow our customers to experience and appreciate the city’s beautiful nature and diverse attractions.”

“With many Korean automobile manufacturers located in the area due to the Hungarian government’s investment policy, we also expect to attract business demand. Korean Air will continue to foster Budapest as a strategic destination in Eastern Europe, and will closely cooperate with the Hungarian Government to vitalize the Incheon-Budapest route.”

Will the Seoul to Budapest route provide more affordability to more customers as a result of its counterpart competition LOT Polish Airlines? Does the direct route from Europe attract you to explore North East Asia? Let us know your thoughts.