South Korea and Qingdao have maintained close ties in tourism, trade, and culture. As a top destination for South Korean travelers, Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport has built a comprehensive network covering five key cities: Seoul, Busan, Jeju, Cheongju, and Daegu.

In 2025, passenger traffic between Qingdao and South Korea reached 1.857 million, a 21.6 percent year-on-year increase. South Korean travelers accounted for 780,000 of that number, surging 50 percent in 12 months. Since this year, the routes continue to grow at an average pace of 24 percent, driving Qingdao's international recovery.

Two core routes form the backbone of this network. The Qingdao-Seoul route operates 32 daily flights, serving as an aerial corridor for business and cultural exchanges. Meanwhile, the Qingdao-Busan route — the only direct link from Shandong — supports manufacturing and logistics across the Yellow Sea Economic Circle.

Three unique routes further diversify travel demand. Flights to Jeju leverage visa-free policies for leisure trips; Cheongju connects semiconductor and electronics industries; and Daegu, as Qingdao's sister city, enables affordable dual-city lifestyle experiences.

To enhance connectivity, Qingdao airport has upgraded transit services, now linking 41 domestic cities with South Korean destinations. Passengers can enjoy check-in and baggage transfers for same-day connections.

Moving forward, Qingdao aims to strengthen its role as a Northeast Asian gateway to South Korea, fostering closer economic and cultural exchanges through continuous flight network optimization and service innovation.

As a top destination for South Korean travelers, Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport has built a comprehensive network covering five key cities in the neighboring nation: Seoul, Busan, Jeju, Cheongju, and Daegu. [Photo/Guanhai News]