S. Korea to adopt international 'no-landing' flights

South Korea Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki announced that the government would support its ailing airline industry by adopting international flights without landing.

Under the program, local carriers would enter the airspace of other countries without landing.

With its global destination, it would an upgrade from the “flights to nowhere” programs that the local airlines have been offering.

Passengers, who would be required for quarantine procedures when departing, would receive the same tax-free benefits as regular travelers.
The combined value of products eligible for tax-free benefits for duty-free purchases here stands at $600 at the moment.

The program would be temporarily operated for 12 months and
Hong said the program would be ready by as early as the end of the month.

Korean Air, Asiana, Jeju Air, and Jin Air have been preparing for the program's launch.

To further support South Korea's economy, Hong vowed to invest 1.6 trillion won in eight high-digital and contactless areas: finance, logistics, small businesses and the self-employed, the medical field, education, commuting, public administration, and digital contents.