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Home » Korean Air » Korean Air Loses Monopoly On Lucrative Route
Korean Air

Korean Air Loses Monopoly On Lucrative Route

Matthew Klint Posted onFebruary 14, 2019November 14, 2023 6 Comments

airplanes parked at an airport

After a nearly 30-year monopoly, Korean Air will no longer be the sole Korean carrier flying between Seoul Incheon and Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia.

In 1991 Korea and Mongolia signed an aeronautical agreement. The agreement allowed for only one carrier from each country to serve Ulaanbaatar from Seoul. While the move certainly protected MIAT, the state-owned Mongolian carrier, and Korean Air, it came at the expense of Asiana.

Last month, Korea and Mongolia renewed their agreement. As part of the agreement, two Korean carriers can operate up to nine flights per week (between them) with up to 2,500 seats. That’s almost 50% more than the current limit of six flights per week capped at 1,656 seats. Now Korean authorities will decide whether Asiana or a new generation of budget carriers will be awarded an additional slot to Ulaanbaatar.

In the running are Asiana as well as low-cost Jeju Air, T’way Air and Eastar Jet. Asiana makes the case that Korean will keep six of the nine slots, meaning there are only three available. Those slots, it argues, should go to a carrier that will operate wide body service to maximize passenger traffic. Jeju Air, T’way Air and Eastar Jet operate fleets of exclusively 737s.

While distance and price rarely correlate, many citizens on both sides of the border complain that prices are too high and seats are too limited on this route. During peak travel periods, prices often top $800 r/t on the 1,226 mile flight.

The new slot will be awarded late this month.

CONCLUSION

I’m particularly interested in this story because I hope to visit Mongolia this year. I was planning on flying via Beijing on Air China in one direction and from Ulaanbaatar to Frankfurt on MIAT’s 767-300, but that’s all in planning stages at this time.

More importantly, if you are looking into a ticket between Seoul and Ulaanbaatar you might want to hold off temporarily. There may soon be downward pressure on pricing.

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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6 Comments

  1. UBtraveler Reply
    February 14, 2019 at 12:28 pm

    That’s great news since I live in mongolia! I always wondered why only Korean air flew to mongolia and not Asiana.

    I also now understand why the weird, 2x a week flight on the LCC Air Busan from Ulaanbaatar to Pusan, exists.

    If you do end up coming to Mongolia, let me know. =D

    • Z Reply
      February 14, 2019 at 3:47 pm

      MIAT also has a 2* weekly service to PUS. Considering that Busan is the second largest city in South Korea and sits next to some other major cities like Ulsan and Daegu, there is definitely the demand.

  2. William Y. Reply
    February 15, 2019 at 12:18 am

    Please be careful in UB, Matt. There are literally gangs roaming the streets looking for non-Mongolians to assault. It’s very odd.

    >Mongolia has seen a recent rise in ethnically-motivated violence. Ultra-nationalist Mongolian groups single out individuals with Caucasian, African or Chinese features just because of the way they look.

    https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-safety/eastern-asia/mongolia/crime-in-mongolia

    • Matthew Reply
      February 15, 2019 at 12:30 am

      Thanks for the tip William. That’s concerning, since I like to ride around Metros in former Soviet-influenced states.

      • William Y. Reply
        February 15, 2019 at 3:00 am

        Was that snark necessary? Read the article. I know Americans don’t get out much, but sometimes virtue signaling can’t be top priority.

        For example when visiting a country where the majority of taxis are actually unlicensed (yet look licensed), and where visitors have been robbed and beaten up in official-looking taxis. But I guess sounding cool is more important than reality.

        Have fun!

        • Matthew Reply
          February 15, 2019 at 10:04 am

          Wow, you totally misread my response. Honestly, no snark was intended and I took your comment seriously. I mentioned the Metros because that means I am out and about in all parts of the city, both good and bad.

          I had a horrific taxi experience in Bishkek and do not want a repeat experience.

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