山东首条直飞韩国大邱航线开通

Core Viewpoint - The opening of the direct flight route from Qingdao to Daegu marks a significant development in enhancing connectivity between China and South Korea, particularly benefiting business and tourism sectors [1][4]. Group 1: Flight Route Details - The new route operates twice a week on Wednesdays and Sundays, with a flight time of approximately two hours, significantly reducing travel time by nearly half compared to indirect routes [3]. - The Qingdao Airport has established a "bus-like" operation for flights to South Korea, currently offering nearly 40 round-trip flights daily to various Korean cities [4]. Group 2: Passenger Statistics and Growth - Since the implementation of the visa-free policy for South Korea on November 8, 2024, the Qingdao Airport has seen a remarkable performance in its Korean routes, with a total of 1.806 million passengers transported from November 2024 to November 2025, representing a year-on-year increase of 23.6% [4]. - As of December 19, 2025, the number of mainland Chinese travelers entering and exiting South Korea through Qingdao Airport has increased by approximately 7% compared to the previous year [4]. Group 3: Economic and Cultural Significance - Daegu, being South Korea's fourth-largest city, has a strong economic and cultural relationship with Qingdao, which has been a friendly city since 1993, making the new flight route a vital link for both regions [4]. - The new flight route facilitates a "three-hour travel circle" between Qingdao and Daegu, enhancing business and tourism opportunities for travelers from Shandong and surrounding areas [4].