Jeju Air adds flights to Ulaanbaatar, Yanji to tap 'coolcation' demand

Jeju Air said Monday it is targeting demand for "coolcation" travel — trips to cooler destinations to escape the summer heat.

The airline will increase frequencies on its Incheon-Ulaanbaatar route from five to seven times a week, and on its Incheon-Yanji route from six to 11 times a week, from July 10 through Aug. 18. The increases amount to 24 additional flights on the Ulaanbaatar route and 56 on the Yanji route.

Ulaanbaatar, the Mongolian capital, sees average summer temperatures of around 20 degrees Celsius, making it a popular cool-weather getaway. The destination has been drawing younger travelers in particular, with its sweeping grasslands, traditional ger stays and other nature and cultural tourism experiences unique to Mongolia.

Yanji, in China, serves as the gateway to Baekdusan, a mountain that rises 2,744 meters above sea level and sees midday highs of around 18 degrees Celsius even in midsummer. Beyond its scenic attractions — including Cheonji crater lake and Jangbaek Falls — visitors can also experience the distinct culture and cuisine of the Yanbian region.

"Mongolia and Yanji are seeing growing travel demand because visitors can enjoy both a comfortable climate and natural tourism at the same time in summer," a Jeju Air official said. "We will continue to strengthen customer convenience and route competitiveness through flexible capacity expansion in line with demand."

Meanwhile, Jeju Air is actively expanding its network to improve passenger convenience, including launching new service on the Incheon-Kobe route with seven weekly flights.