Might Korean Air Begin Flying To Orlando?! I am Skeptical…

Might Korean Air launch a nonstop flight between Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) and Orlando Worldwide Airport (MCO)? Effectively, that’s what airport executives in Orlando appear to suppose, although I’m not holding my breath…
Orlando desires a nonstop flight from South Korea
Orlando Enterprise Journal reviews on how the Better Orlando Aviation Authority and Osceola County have signed a partnership settlement with Incheon Worldwide Airport, laying the groundwork for direct service between the 2 airports. This might be the primary nonstop connection between North Asia and Florida.
The declare is that the events are working to “finalize particulars of the flight, together with the airline and when service will begin.” Suffice it to say that these are some vital issues to iron out. For that matter, I’d say that phrasing is maybe a bit overly optimistic. Presumably it’s extra like they’re “working to see if any airline is concerned with flying this route.”
There may be an estimated passenger demand of round 150,000 individuals yearly between Northeast Asia and Orlando. In the meantime between Northeast Asia and Florida general, that demand is round 350,000 individuals yearly. This route wouldn’t simply be about tourism, but in addition enterprise, significantly in relation to the semiconductor business.
Right here’s how Osceola County Commissioner Cheryl Grieb described this:
“Direct flights from South Korea to Orlando have lengthy been a objective for our area, and this settlement brings us nearer than ever to creating that imaginative and prescient a actuality. This connection won’t solely strengthen tourism but in addition enterprise connections to place NeoCity as a worldwide chief in semiconductor innovation, paving the way in which for better financial alternatives and worldwide collaboration.”
In the meantime right here’s what Incheon Worldwide Airport CEO Lee Hag-jae needed to say:
“With our thrilling partnership with Orlando Worldwide Airport and Osceola County in Florida, we’ll collectively embark on complete efforts to ascertain the first-ever direct flight route from Asia to Orlando, thereby enhancing passenger comfort and selling vibrant enterprise and journey exchanges between South Korea and the US.”
Might a Korean Air flight to Orlando develop into a actuality?
As you possibly can see, neither airport authority is naming the airline that might function this service. Presumably if it have been to develop into a actuality, Korean Air could be the airline working the route. In any case, the airline simply accomplished its takeover of Asiana, so it might be the logical provider to function the route, as Korea’s solely main international participant.
On the one hand, this doesn’t appear that outlandish. I imply, the “new” Korean Air has loads of capability to play with, and has flexibility, because of its acquisition of Asiana, and all of the duplicate routes the airways have.
With the Delta and Korean Air three way partnership, it’s fairly clear that the objective is to supply as a lot one-stop connectivity as potential between factors in the US and factors in Asia. Add in some authorities subsidies, an the mathematics on this route may not be so dangerous (effectively, at the very least till the incentives run out).
That being stated, I nonetheless wouldn’t depend on this route turning into a actuality. That’s to not say it couldn’t or gained’t occur, however moderately that I feel it’s removed from a certain wager. At over 7,500 miles, this might be an extremely lengthy haul flight, and I simply really feel like there are different gaps in Korean Air’s route community that will make extra sense.
Talking of flights between Florida and North Asia, take into account that Miami has been engaged on attracting a nonstop Japan flight for a few years. That has by no means come to fruition, even if Miami is arguably an even bigger enterprise market, and likewise a three way partnership hub for Japan Airways (American has a hub there).
So we’ll mark this as “growing” for now, nevertheless it certain looks like authorities are possibly a bit overconfident when it comes to the prospect of this taking place.

Backside line
Airport authorities in Orlando and Seoul Incheon have signed an settlement that lays the groundwork for nonstop flights between the 2 airports. Now all they want is an airline keen to function the service. Whereas each events appear assured that this can occur, I’m fairly skeptical.
Presumably if an airline have been to launch this route, it might be Korean Air. And in equity, if there have been a time for Korean Air to attempt a route like this, now could be the time, given the takeover of Asiana, the surplus capability, and the Delta three way partnership. I nonetheless suppose it’s unlikely this turns into a actuality, however you by no means know…
What do you make of the prospects of a nonstop Seoul Incheon to Orlando flight?
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