Sea and air links continue to shrink between China and South Korea as the fallout spreads over the Seoul government’s plans to deploy a US missile defence system.
Korean budget carrier Easter Jet announced flights to Harbin, Ningbo and Jinjiang in China will be halted until October 28 due to ‘worsening relations’ and China’s Spring Airlines Co has cancelled Jeju flights beginning March 15 until at least March 26.
Seoul based Jin Air said it is reviewing its scheduled service from Jeju to Shanghai and Xian, and restricting bookings to try to avoid possible disruptions.
China last week imposed travel curbs over South Korea’s plan to install the THAAD missile defence system which China says can compromise its own defences.
According to estimates by Goldman Sachs it could cist the Korean tourism industry at least $5 billion.
Royal Caribbean Cruises and Costa Cruises both said China based itineraries will skip calls in South Korea and instead reroute to Japan.
Princess Cruises told Reuters it will also avoid South Korea port calls.
"Due to the current situation, Princess Cruises’ China team has been in close dialogue and prudent discussions with relevant departments. All routes which involve South Korea have been altered," it said.
The tourism economy is highly reliant on China which makes up nearly half of all international visits to South Korea.
The resort island of Jeju is likely to be hardest hit as a whopping 85% of tourists hail from the China mainland.
