Unlock Savings: 24 Billion Won Discount on International Airport Fees at 6 Korean Regional Airports

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Korea Airports Corporation is launching a bold support package to grow international service at regional airports. The plan includes about 2.4 billion KRW (approximately $1.8 million) in airport facility fee waivers, airfare discounts, and K‑culture marketing campaigns designed to bring more visitors outside the Seoul area.

Announced on the 12th, the initiative follows the Tourism Transformation policy introduced at last month’s national tourism strategy meeting. The aim is to ease the concentration of foreign tourists in the capital region and accelerate reaching 30 million inbound visitors ahead of schedule by 2029.

The headline move: stronger airline incentives. If a new carrier launches service at Daegu, Muan, or Yangyang airports, Korea Airports Corporation will waive all airport facility fees for two years. These fees cover charges like landing, parking, and lighting. For six international airports — Gimhae, Jeju, Cheongju, Daegu, Muan, and Yangyang — fees will be waived for up to three years on brand‑new routes, and for two years when airlines increase flight frequencies. The total fee relief is roughly 2.4 billion KRW (approximately $1.8 million).

To help new routes take off, the corporation will also support overseas marketing costs up to 300 million KRW (approximately $225,000) in total, with a route cap of 30 million KRW (approximately $22,500).

Travel agencies get incentives, too. Agencies selling tour packages tied to Cheongju, Daegu, or Yangyang airports will receive up to 20,000 KRW (approximately $15) per passenger based on booking results, helping promote regional itineraries.

A domestic ticket discount program will encourage visitors arriving in Seoul to keep exploring. Travelers on flights linking the capital’s airports with regional hubs will get a 10,000 KRW (approximately $7.50) discount per person. The corporation will also team up with airlines and local governments on promotions to boost transfer traffic at regional gateways like Daegu. On Trip.com, travelers from Japan and Greater China can score discounts of about 20,000 KRW (approximately $15) or more per passenger during peak holiday periods — Japan’s Golden Week (April 29–May 6) and China’s National Day holiday (Oct. 1–7).

The campaign will lean into K‑culture as well. In June, a K‑beauty experience event aimed at Central Asian markets will highlight medical and beauty tourism and help attract higher‑value visitors.

Acting President Park Jae‑hee said, “Regional airports are central to the government’s tourism transformation strategy. We’ll do everything we can to develop them as key gateways for local tourism.”