International flight passenger traffic in South Korea increased nearly 10% in the first eight months of 2026, despite higher oil prices and rising fuel surcharges. More than 68.4 million passengers used international flights through South Korean airports between January and August, according to government data.The latest figures from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport show that international passenger traffic rose 9.8% year-on-year during the January-August period. International flight operations also increased, with the number of flights rising 6.6% to around 384,700.Key HighlightsSouth Korea recorded 68.44 million international flight passengers from January to August 2026.International passenger traffic increased 9.8% from the same period last year.Japan-bound and China-bound passenger traffic recorded strong growth.Japan routes increased 20.3%, while China routes rose 23%.International transit passengers through South Korea increased 20.1%.Southeast Asian routes saw declines amid higher fuel costs.Japan and China Routes Drive GrowthJapan and China emerged as major contributors to the increase in international passenger traffic.Passenger numbers on South Korea-Japan routes reached around 21.31 million during the first eight months, representing a 20.3% increase from the same period in 2025.China routes recorded an even stronger increase. Passenger traffic between South Korea and China rose 23% to around 13.62 million.The increase in Japan travel has been linked partly to the weaker Japanese yen, which has supported travel demand. China traffic has also benefited from visa-free travel arrangements for Korean nationals.Together, Japan and China accounted for about 51% of South Korea's international passenger traffic during the January-August period.Southeast Asia Sees Passenger DeclineWhile Japan and China recorded strong growth, several Southeast Asian routes experienced declines.Passenger traffic between South Korea and Vietnam fell 5.1% year-on-year to about 6.63 million during the first eight months of 2026. The Philippines recorded a 13.7% decline to around 2.5 million passengers.Thailand also saw passenger traffic decline by about 13% during the period.Industry observers attributed some of the shift to higher oil prices and fuel surcharges. With shorter flight times to Japan and China compared with many Southeast Asian destinations, some travellers appear to have shifted their travel plans.Transit Traffic Through Incheon Airport IncreasesSouth Korea has also seen an increase in international transit passengers.Around 5.98 million international transit passengers used South Korean airports during the first eight months of 2026, up 20.1% from about 4.98 million during the same period last year.The increase has been linked partly to changes in travel patterns following disruptions and conflict in the Middle East. Incheon International Airport has handled additional connecting traffic from passengers travelling between Asia, Europe and North America.Transit passengers travelling through South Korea from Europe increased 53%, while transit traffic from Japan rose 42.6% and from China increased 35.8%.Long-Haul Travel Also GrowsDespite higher fuel costs, passenger traffic on longer-distance routes also increased.Travel between South Korea and the United States rose 8.2% year-on-year to around 4.96 million passengers during January-August. European routes recorded a 9.3% increase to approximately 3.48 million passengers.Industry data suggests that business travel, education-related travel and transit demand helped support long-haul passenger numbers.What the Numbers ShowThe latest figures indicate that international air travel demand from South Korea remained strong through the first eight months of 2026 despite higher oil prices.The growth was particularly concentrated on Japan and China routes, while several Southeast Asian markets recorded lower passenger numbers. Increased transit traffic has also strengthened South Korea's position as a connecting hub for international travellers.With international passenger traffic already approaching 70 million in the first eight months of the year, airlines and airports are adjusting capacity to meet changing travel patterns across different regions.
