Virgin Atlantic to Begin Services to Seoul

Virgin Atlantic has been given the all-clear to begin services to Seoul, the capital of South Korea.

Virgin is the “proposed remedy taker,” according to the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority, which ruled on the proposed merger of Korean Air and Asiana.

Since making the announcement in November 2020, Korean Air has been in talks with antitrust authorities in the countries where the two airlines operate.

In November 2022, the CMA issued a warning that a combination of the two Korean airlines would result in higher airfares for travellers flying from London to South Korea.

Virgin Atlantic can now operate seven flights per week to Seoul’s Incheon airport using Heathrow’s available slots, the competition authority has announced.

According to Virgin Atlantic spokesperson: “Air passengers deserve a choice when flying. We believe that a fair and competitive market is essential for the aviation industry to evolve and thrive.

“We welcome the CMA’s decision regarding Virgin Atlantic’s role as the remedy taker in the Korean Air and Asiana merger, which will facilitate our entry into Seoul.

“We are excited to be appointed as the remedy taker to start flying to Seoul and will confirm our next steps in relation to a route start-up in due course.”