Direct Flights Between Incheon-Jeju Could Boost Casino Travel Hopes
The Incheon-Jeju route has now resumed, connecting Incheon International Airport with Jeju Island, in the Republic of Korea, after about ten years of discontinuation, with Jeju Air Co Ltd having started the flight in a bid that would attract many foreign casino visitors. Public records show that the flights are currently being done twice a week: Tuesday and Saturday, from 12 May.
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Route Restored After Years
According to data from the Korea Office of Civil Aviation, no airline had offered a scheduled Incheon-Jeju service since 2016. The route had previously been considered loss-making, which was one reason similar efforts were dropped at the time, according to media reports.
The restored service links Jeju International Airport with Incheon, which remains South Korea’s main air hub. For Jeju, the return of the route marks a notable shift after years without a direct scheduled option through Incheon.
Jeju Casino Interest
An official in charge of the Jeju government stated in an interview with GGRAsia via text that a direct flight between Jeju and Incheon might entice gamblers from Japan to visit the place. There are currently 8 casino establishments in Jeju catering exclusively to foreigners, and they have managed to capitalize on the post-pandemic growth of gambling and tourism.
This year, the foreigner-only casinos saw their best performance ever, registering a total gross gaming revenue of approximately KRW646.50 billion ($429.7 million) for 2025, representing a remarkable increase of around 40.8% from 2024.
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Travel Patterns To Jeju
Domestic scheduled flights to Jeju have traditionally used Gimpo International Airport, Seoul’s secondary air hub. On the other hand, there are direct scheduled international flights to Jeju Island via Taipei’s Taoyuan International Airport and Shanghai Pudong International Airport, as found by GGRAsia through its checks.
This has resulted in certain tourists headed for Jeju choosing to fly through Taipei and Shanghai and then travelling for 30 minutes by road to Gimpo Airport for their onward connection, rather than going through Incheon. According to sources from Jeju’s gaming industry, this has impacted the way certain foreigners arrive on the island.
A Potentially Useful Link
The return of the Incheon route gives Jeju another entry point for travellers who may otherwise have had to rely on less direct connections. For the island’s casino operators, the timing comes as Jeju continues to build on its post-pandemic tourism rebound and record gaming figures.
With 2 weekly services now running between Incheon and Jeju International Airport, the route restores a channel that had been absent since 2016. For officials and casino workers watching foreign arrivals, the link may prove useful in supporting the island’s wider tourism and gaming momentum.
Source: GGR Asia
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