Asiana to launch MEL-ICN Seasonal Charters

[soorox]

Asiana Airlines will launch a weekly MEL-ICN seasonal charter service from 26DEC until 21FEB, the flights will utlise the airline's 777-200ER aircraft.

Schedule is as follows:
OZ6037 ICN1900 – 0730+1MEL 77L 4
OZ6047 MEL0900 – 1745ICN 77L 5

Reservations has opened today with limited avalibility, you are able to earn mileage on these flights, however not upgradable with mileage, nor will there be any award space.

Currently, Asiana Airlines operates a daily service on the SYD-ICN route, which will upgrade to the A380 for the summer peak period.

 

[pauly7]

Will QF codeshare on the MEL services as well?

 

[soorox]

Will QF codeshare on the MEL services as well?

As these are charter services, QF won't be placing their code on these services. Hopefully if OZ does decide to make MEL year round, we might see a QF code added.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

As they are in *Alliance, it might be possible to earn Krisflyer mileage on these flights, not that I have chased this up.
closer for me to get to ICN, via MEL, than via SYD.
But thanks to the OP.

 

[Melburnian1]

It's been implied that the Victorian State Government is 'assisting' (read 'subsidising') these flights.

Surely it's got better things to spend taxpayers' funds on?

A once weekly flight for two months isn't of much use to Australians because if one wants to use these nonstops both ways, one has to arrange business or leisure travel such that one spends exactly a week, or two, or three at the destination.

IIRC, KE once operated three times a week ICN - MEL but withdrew after a few months.

South Korea is one of our largest trading partners, and Melbourne is a big destination for international students so the route should stack up. But on past history, it won't. There must be some demand from groups to visit the penguins and the Great Ocean Road, though perhaps not in autumn or winter.

The SK economy is in a recession at present.

 

[LadyC]

A shame there is no award space. Most options via an Asian hub make for a long travel day.

 

[soorox]

As they are in *Alliance, it might be possible to earn Krisflyer mileage on these flights, not that I have chased this up.
closer for me to get to ICN, via MEL, than via SYD.
But thanks to the OP.

Yes points are redeemable for *A, normal fare rules apply. The exception is that all fares on these flights are not upgradable with miles.

IIRC, KE once operated three times a week ICN - MEL but withdrew after a few months.

South Korea is one of our largest trading partners, and Melbourne is a big destination for international students so the route should stack up. But on past history, it won't. There must be some demand from groups to visit the penguins and the Great Ocean Road, though perhaps not in autumn or winter.

KE operated flights for more than 'a few months', they operated the route from 2007 to 2013, the flights initially started as a weekly charter in 2005 (albeit shorter period) similar to the new Asiana Airlines services, then became a regular service. The Melbourne - Korea market has grown considerably more since 2013, so hopefully these trials bear fruit. The route is also bolstered on the Korean end too, so alot of people want this route to succeed.

 

[docjames]

It's been implied that the Victorian State Government is 'assisting' (read 'subsidising') these flights.

Surely it's got better things to spend taxpayers' funds on?

A once weekly flight for two months isn't of much use to Australians because if one wants to use these nonstops both ways, one has to arrange business or leisure travel such that one spends exactly a week, or two, or three at the destination.

I doubt outbound Australians are the targeted market for this flight, rather inbound tourists and presumably the economic stimulus adds up beyond any “assistance” given.

 

[AIRwin]

Seasonal flights resuming:

Asiana Airlines to link Melbourne and Seoul

The direct service, which will operate every Tuesday and Thursday to Incheon Airport, will commence on 26 December using Asiana’s A350-900 aircraft. Flights will depart Melbourne at 10pm to arrive in Seoul the following morning.

australianaviation.com.au

 

[AIRwin]

Asiana Airlines NW24 Melbourne Operations – 06AUG24 — AeroRoutes

Published at 1600GMT 06AUG24 Asiana Airlines this week filed operational schedule for Seoul Incheon – Melbourne route during Northern winter 2024/25 season. The twice weekly service on board Airbus A350-900XWB is scheduled from 15DEC24 to 02MAR25, Seoul departure. OZ6033 ICN0800 – 2030MEL 359

www.aeroroutes.com

 

[sevenfourtyseven]

Given the number of large Korean 'chaebols' with their Australian subsidiaries headquartered in Melbourne, surprised Asiana or Korean Air haven't moved to a yearly service. Wouldn't expect a daily service, but there should be enough business/leisure demand for 3x weekly.

 

[yachty]

I always think that but it's the same with Japanese companies in Melbourne, and JAL can't even get MEL to daily. I suppose a foreign branch office probably only has a handful of people a month travelling back and forth to HQ (if that).

When SYD is up to something like 24x weekly flights to ICN it's weird that MEL can't hold onto a year-round flight...