The latest adjustments affect routes connecting the RoK with some of Vietnam’s most popular tourism destinations, including Da Nang, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc.

According to industry announcements, RoK carriers are expected to cut around 900 round-trip flights in May and June as airlines attempt to manage rapidly rising fuel expenses. The number is likely to increase further because several carriers have yet to finalise their June schedules.

Jeju Air, the RoK’s largest low-cost carrier (LCC), said it would reduce 187 international round-trip flights during the two-month period, equivalent to roughly 4% of its international operations.

The airline is scaling back frequencies on routes from Incheon to Phu Quoc and Da Nang (Vietnam), Bangkok (Thailand) and Singapore, reducing some services from daily operations to only three or four flights per week. Several flights to Hanoi (Vietnam) are also expected to be affected.

Meanwhile, Jin Air announced cuts across 14 routes, including services linking Incheon with Nha Trang and Phu Quoc (Vietnam), as well as flights between Busan and Cebu (Philippines).

Other Korean low-cost carriers, including Air Busan, Eastar Jet, Air Premia and Air Seoul, have also announced reductions on Southeast Asian routes, including some routes to Phu Quoc, Da Nang, and Nha Trang (Vietnam) in recent weeks.

Among the most significant changes, Eastar Jet has cut 50 flights on the Incheon–Phu Quoc route in May, citing restrictions related to refuelling conditions. Air Busan has temporarily suspended its Busan–Da Nang service altogether.

Vietnamese airlines have also reportedly reduced a number of flights between Vietnam and Korean destinations during the second quarter of 2026.

Experts say many Southeast Asian routes now require additional refueling stops, significantly increasing operating costs amid rising aviation fuel prices. In many places, jet fuel prices have more than doubled since the Middle East conflict erupted on February 28. Due to the burden of fuel costs, financial data firms forecast that the total operating losses of six listed airlines in the RoK could reach US$350 million in the second quarter of 2026, with Asiana Airlines and T'way Air projected to post some of the largest losses.

Over the years, the RoK has consistently been one of Vietnam's largest international tourist markets. In the first four months of 2026, the number of Korean tourists to Vietnam reached over 1.64 million, ranking second among international visitors.

Statistical data from 2025 shows that Vietnam was the second most popular destination for Korean tourists, with over 4.33 million visitors, far surpassing other Southeast Asian destinations such as Thailand and the Philippines.

Vietnam aviation, tourism adapt to fuel price surge amid global uncertainties

VOV.VN - Vietnam’s aviation and tourism industries are seeking to respond to soaring fuel prices with cost controls, route optimisation, and flexible travel products to sustain growth.