Korean Air is looking to partner with US carrier Delta Air Lines to launch direct flights from Korea and the Unites States to Clark International Airport in the Philippines.
According to a report by Philippine News Agency, the move comes with the airport having welcomed 167,366 arrivals from South Korea during the first three months of 2024, up 2% over the same period last year.
“Everyone’s eyes are now on Clark (Airport),” said Delta Sales Director for Korea and Southeast Asia, Andrew Seongsu Kim.
“We’re looking at having direct flights there. Working as one, Korean Air and Delta could bring the passengers to Korea and then to many areas in the United States.”
Jin Air, Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air and Aero K are the four airlines currently operating direct flights between Clark and Korea.
Korean Air would become the fifth, having last October increased its flights between Korean and Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport from two to three each day.
Noel Manankil, President of Luzon International Premier Airport Development Corp, told Philippine News Agency that the agency is looking to recover passenger volumes at Clark International Airport to the pre-pandemic level of 4 million per year.
A popular leisure and tourism destination, Clark’s casinos generated combined gaming revenues of Php27.2 billion (US$473 million) in 2023, up 32% from Php20.6 billion (US$358 million) a year earlier.