SEOUL — South Korea said Wednesday it will delay reclaiming traffic rights and allocated slots from airlines, while cutting landing fees and other charges, amid the escalating coronavirus impact on the aviation sector. The moves are aimed at helping local airlines continue operations and weather the unprecedented difficulties,” Kim Sang-do in charge of aviation policies at the ministry said in a statement. Airlines will be allowed to use the traffic rights and slots that are not used this year due to suspended flights next year, the statement said. Under the government’s support measures, airlines will be exempted from airport usage charges worth 65.6 billion won, and they can delay paying 500.5 billion won worth of charges, it said. The country has two full-service carriers — Korean Air Lines Co. and Asiana Airlines Inc. — and seven low-cost carriers — Jeju Air Co., Jin Air, Air Busan, Air Seoul, Eastar Jet, T’way and Fly Gangwon.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer March 18, 2020 01:30 UTC