Air Seoul to launch Jeju–Kumamoto charter flights Oct. 31, Nov. 2

Air Seoul will launch direct flights connecting Jeju Island and Kumamoto, Japan, aiming to attract more Japanese tourists to Jeju while giving Jeju residents and domestic travelers a new nonstop option to a smaller Japanese city.

The low-cost carrier announced Tuesday it will operate one round-trip charter flight on the Jeju–Kumamoto route on each of Oct. 31 and Nov. 2, deploying a 220-seat aircraft on both services.

On Oct. 31, the outbound flight departs Jeju at 10 a.m. and arrives in Kumamoto at 11:25 a.m. The return leg leaves Kumamoto at 12:25 p.m. and lands in Jeju at 2:10 p.m.

On Nov. 2, the Jeju departure is at 1 p.m., arriving in Kumamoto at 2:25 p.m. The return from Kumamoto departs at 3:30 p.m. and reaches Jeju at 4:55 p.m.

Air Seoul said it plans to capture travel demand from Jeju to Japan's Kyushu region through the charter services. Kumamoto is home to several notable attractions, including Kumamoto Castle — one of Japan's most celebrated fortresses — Mount Aso, and Sakura-no-Baba Josaien, a shopping and entertainment complex that recreates the atmosphere of the Edo period.

The airline is also targeting demand in the opposite direction, supplying direct flights from Kumamoto to Jeju to draw Japanese tourists seeking to visit the island's landmarks, including Hallasan and Seongsan Ilchulbong.

Air Seoul operates a Japan-heavy route network among South Korean low-cost carriers, running flights not only to major cities such as Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka but also to smaller regional destinations including Takamatsu and Yonago. The addition of the Jeju-origin Kumamoto charters extends its Japan network, which has been centered on Incheon, to Jeju Island.

"We hope these Jeju–Kumamoto nonstop charter flights will introduce Jeju to Japanese tourists and bring Kumamoto closer to Jeju residents and domestic travelers," an Air Seoul official said. "We will continue to connect diverse regions in the two countries through our differentiated Japan route network and expand inter-regional exchange and mutual growth through tourism."