Korea Winter Schedule 2026-27

The short answer

Korea's winter schedule 2026-27 runs from 25 October 2026 to 27 March 2027, with 5,353 international flights a week, 7.6 per cent more than last winter. Six new direct China routes start, several from Busan and Cheongju, and both airports get higher flight caps. Explera DMC uses those gateways to route groups without doubling back.

Korea's winter schedule 2026-27 is the first since the pandemic with more international flights than 2019, and the new capacity is not all at Incheon. That matters to anyone sending groups from China, or building a programme that does not start and end in Seoul. Our Korea desk has the full schedule briefing. This is how we read it for the group side.

What Is in Korea's Winter Schedule 2026-27?

The season. 25 October 2026 to 27 March 2027, the northern winter season airlines use worldwide.
The volume. 5,353 international flights a week on 264 routes to 44 countries, flown by 84 airlines. That is 7.6 per cent more than last winter and above the 4,980 a week of winter 2019.
Where it grows. Japan gains 314 flights a week and China 232, so most of the new seats sit on the two short-haul markets.
New China routes. Incheon to Ningbo with Air Premia and to Linyi; Busan to Guangzhou with Air Busan and to Xiamen with Eastar Jet; Cheongju to Xiamen with Eastar Jet.
More room regionally. The transport ministry has raised the flight caps at Gimhae and Cheongju; Cheongju's weekend cap goes up by a quarter.

How Do We Use Busan and Cheongju for Groups?

The useful word is open jaw. A group from southern China can now fly into Busan and out of Incheon, or the reverse, instead of spending half a day getting back to the airport it arrived at. Our Busan and east coast rail note shows the kind of itinerary that suits an arrival in the south.

Cheongju is the nearest international airport to Daejeon and the Chungcheong provinces. A programme there no longer has to begin with a long transfer from Seoul. For Chinese groups in general, our planning guide for Korea covers guides, menus and payments.

What Do We Check Before Confirming?

Operating days, not headlines. A filed schedule is not a guarantee. We confirm the days each route flies before fixing hotels and coaches.
Lunar New Year. It falls on 6 February 2027, inside this season, and both China and Korea travel that week. Group seats in late January and early February go first.
Coach access at the regional airports. We arrange the coach to meet the group at Gimhae or Cheongju rather than assuming Seoul timings.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Korea's winter schedule 2026-27 run?

From 25 October 2026 to 27 March 2027.

How many international flights a week does Korea have this winter?

5,353 a week on 264 routes to 44 countries, flown by 84 airlines, according to the transport ministry. That is 7.6 per cent more than last winter.

Which new routes link Korea and China this winter?

Six new direct routes, among them Incheon to Ningbo and Linyi, Busan to Guangzhou and Xiamen, and Cheongju to Xiamen.

Can a group arrive in Busan and leave from Incheon?

Yes, where the routes suit the group. Explera DMC often plans an open jaw like this, after checking the days each route operates.

Sources

Where Explera Fits

We route Korea groups through transfers and transport and build the days around them with tours and experiences. See our Korea destination page or visit the Explera DMC Korea website.

Write to b2b@explera.kr or message +66 93 656 8090 on WhatsApp. Explera DMC is IATA TIDS-registered (96215733) and an ASTA member (900408341); our KTO and KATA registrations in Korea are in application.