Photo credit: MCIAA

SEOUL — Travelers flying between South Korea and the Philippines may soon face fewer options, as airlines begin trimming routes amid rising costs and global uncertainty.

South Korean budget carrier Jin Air is set to cancel a number of flights on its Busan–Cebu route from April 4 to April 30, according to a report by The Korea Times on March 30. The move is part of a broader reduction in operations affecting several international routes.

Other low-cost carriers are also adjusting their networks. Air Busan, along with Eastar Jet and Aero K, has been reported to be reviewing or scaling back some international services, as airlines contend with increasing financial pressure. However, there has been no official confirmation of a full suspension of Busan–Cebu flights from Air Busan.

The Busan–Cebu route has been a popular link for South Korean tourists traveling to the Philippines, particularly to Cebu, one of the country’s top beach destinations. Any reduction in flights could affect leisure travel demand, especially with peak vacation months approaching.

Airlines are grappling with soaring fuel prices and a weakening Korean won, both of which have driven up operating costs. Industry officials say the situation has been exacerbated by ongoing tensions in the Middle East, which have pushed global oil prices higher in recent weeks.

“As Middle East tensions show no immediate signs of easing, low-cost carriers are particularly exposed to rising fuel costs, leaving them little choice but to adjust certain routes,” an industry official said.

With fuel costs climbing and currencies under pressure, analysts warn that more flight reductions could follow if conditions do not improve, potentially affecting other key travel routes between South Korea and Southeast Asia.

Meanwhile, a source at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport said no official communication has yet been received from the airlines regarding changes to Busan–Cebu services.