With just a couple of months remaining before the World Cup finals begin in Korea and Japan, domestic and foreign airlines are drastically expanding international flight services. The Ministry of Construction and Transportation yesterday released its survey of the "flight schedules of international and domestic airlines," which showed that Korean Air, Asiana Airlines and 45 foreign airlines will be operating up to 202 additional flights a week beginning March 31 to October 26. The increase will see the total number of weekly flights jump to 1,368. The ministry officials said the expansion in operations follows the recovery in the airline industry since the U.S. terrorist attacks last September, and the anticipated rise in the number of air travelers during the World Cup finals. The number of weekly flights currently stands at 1,166, which will increase to 1,324 in June and 1,368 in August. In June, during the soccer finals, the number of passenger flights will increase by 150, including 91 to China and 21 to Japan, reaching a total of 1,121 flights a week. By region, Korean Air and Asiana Airlines will be operating 41 flights to China, 30 flights to Japan, 23 flights to Southeast Asian countries and 15 flights to Europe and North America, each week, Newly launched routes are Korean Air's Incheon to Jinan and Xiamen in China, which will be run three times a week, and another route linking Daegu to Yantai which will operate twice a week. Asiana Airlines will launch five new routes including flights from Seoul to Hangzhou, China, and Seoul to London, both three times a week. As for foreign airlines, Chinese airlines will increase their weekly flight operations by 56, including an additional 23 flights by China Northern Airlines and 19 by China Eastern Airlines. U.S. airlines are expanding their weekly flight schedules by 20 and Southeast Asian airlines, by six. Newly launched flights by foreign airlines are China Northern Airlines' Shenyang in China to Daegu three times a week, China Eastern Airlines' Shanghai to Gwangju four times a week, Northwest Airlines' Honolulu to Busan with a stopover in Tokyo seven times a week and Thai Airways International's Bangkok to Busan service. International flight operations at local international airports will also increase, with Gimhae International Airport operating 41 additional flights a week, Daegu International Airport seven, Jeju Airport five, Gwangju Airport four and Cheongju, two. The ministry said that the current 1,605 weekly flights on 27 domestic routes will be adjusted to 1,623 flights on 26 routes. The ministry will also close down unprofitable flight routes such as Gimpo-Gangneung, Busan-Gangneung, Busan-Gwangju and Busan-Mokpo within this year. (angiely@koreaherald.co.kr) By Lee Joo-hee Staff reporter 2002.03.30