Published on
December 19, 2025
Air travel across South Korea is facing significant disruption this week, with a total of 22 departures canceled across major airports including Incheon, Gimpo, Jeju, and Gimhae. Affected destinations include Taiwan, Wonju, Gimpo, Jeju, Dubai, Sydney, Brisbane, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Kansai, Copenhagen, New Chitose, and Daniel K Inouye International. These interruptions impact both domestic and international routes, leaving travelers scrambling for alternatives. Airlines are advising passengers to stay updated on their flight status.
Major Airports and Routes Affected
Gimhae International Airport (Busan)
Travelers departing from Busan faced disruptions as Jin Air canceled flight ESR983 to Taiwan Taoyuan International, originally scheduled for Wednesday at 10:00 PM KST. This cancellation adds to ongoing Busan airport disruptions, creating delays for passengers heading to Taiwan.
Jeju International Airport
Jeju Airport cancellations have also caused inconvenience for passengers traveling within South Korea:
Jin Air JNA472 to Wonju, departing Sunday at 09:05 AM KST, canceled
Jin Air JNA474 to Wonju, departing Saturday at 02:30 PM KST, canceled
Korean Air KAL1118 to Gimpo, departing Sunday at 07:00 AM KST, canceled
Korean Air KAL1388 to Gimpo, departing Saturday at 07:15 PM KST, canceled
These disruptions impact passengers relying on frequent domestic connections between Jeju and the mainland.
Gimpo International Airport (Seoul)
At Gimpo, multiple flights to Jeju were canceled, affecting weekend travel plans:
Korean Air KAL1357, scheduled for Saturday at 08:45 PM KST, canceled
Korean Air KAL1387, scheduled for Saturday at 05:20 PM KST, canceled
Eastar Jet ESR227, scheduled for Wednesday at 08:30 PM KST, canceled
Travelers are urged to check Gimpo flight updates frequently to adjust plans and minimize disruptions.
Incheon International Airport (Seoul)
The most significant impact was seen at Incheon, where both international and domestic flights were canceled, affecting travelers heading across the globe:
Emirates UAE323 to Dubai (Friday 11:40 PM KST) canceled
Japan Airlines JNA231 to Kansai International (Thursday 08:00 AM KST) canceled
Delta Airlines DAL26 to Atlanta (Friday 07:25 PM KST) and DAL170 to Minneapolis/St Paul (Thursday 07:30 PM KST, Sunday 07:30 PM KST) canceled
Korean Air KAL8051 to Daniel K Inouye International, Hawaii (Thursday 07:35 PM KST) canceled
Korean Air KAL769 to New Chitose, Japan (Sunday 12:55 PM KST) canceled
Qantas JST48 to Sydney (Friday 09:50 PM KST) and JST54 to Brisbane (Thursday 09:30 PM KST) canceled
SAS988 to Copenhagen (Friday 11:45 PM KST) canceled
Summary Table of Cancellations
AirportAirlineFlightDestinationDepartureGimhaeJin AirESR983Taiwan Taoyuan InternationalWed 10:00 PM KSTJejuJin AirJNA472WonjuSun 09:05 AM KSTJejuJin AirJNA474WonjuSat 02:30 PM KSTJejuKorean AirKAL1118GimpoSun 07:00 AM KSTJejuKorean AirKAL1388GimpoSat 07:15 PM KSTGimpoKorean AirKAL1357JejuSat 08:45 PM KSTGimpoKorean AirKAL1387JejuSat 05:20 PM KSTGimpoEastar JetESR227JejuWed 08:30 PM KSTIncheonEmiratesUAE323DubaiFri 11:40 PM KSTIncheonJapan AirlinesJNA231KansaiThu 08:00 AM KSTIncheonDeltaDAL26AtlantaFri 07:25 PM KSTIncheonDeltaDAL170Minneapolis/St PaulThu 07:30 PM KSTIncheonDeltaDAL170Minneapolis/St PaulSun 07:30 PM KSTIncheonKorean AirKAL8051Daniel K Inouye IntlThu 07:35 PM KSTIncheonKorean AirKAL769New ChitoseSun 12:55 PM KSTIncheonQantasJST48SydneyFri 09:50 PM KSTIncheonQantasJST54BrisbaneThu 09:30 PM KSTIncheonSASSAS988CopenhagenFri 11:45 PM KST
Total Cancellations: 22
Impact on Passengers
The ongoing South Korea flight cancellations are affecting business travelers, tourists, and domestic commuters alike. Missed connections, delayed vacations, and added expenses for alternative travel arrangements are among the consequences. Airlines are assisting with rebooking passengers, but limited capacity means that delays may continue to cause disruption.
Tips for Travelers
To navigate the impact of South Korea flight cancellations, passengers should:
Check airline websites and airport notifications regularly
Confirm flight status before departing for the airport
Explore alternate flights or routes where possible
Consider travel insurance for extended delays
Stay updated on regional advisories as domestic routes are heavily impacted
Looking Ahead
Travelers should anticipate continued operational challenges at South Korea’s busiest airports. Airlines are emphasizing communication with passengers and flexibility in rebooking. Monitoring real-time flight updates is crucial to minimizing inconvenience. With proactive planning, travelers can effectively manage the current wave of South Korea flight cancellations and reduce travel disruptions.
