Jetstar to suspend flights to South Korea amid coronavirus outbreak

After launching the inaugural flight in December, budget airline Jetstar has been forced to suspend their direct route to Seoul.

Budget airline Jetstar has been forced to suspend flights to Seoul, amid stronger travel regulations in South Korea implemented by the Australian government.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) would extended Level 3 “reconsider your need to travel” to people coming from South Korea, with new checks also put in place for those arriving from Italy.

The city of Daegu in South Korea, however, was placed on a level 4 ban, advising “do not travel” to the city.

TThe new levels for South Korea will mean Korean visitors will be banned from 9pm on Thursday.

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Jetstar has suspended flights to Seoul.

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Australian citizens and permanent residents returning from South Korea will be asked to self-isolate for 14 days when they return home.

Jetstar, who launched direct flights between the Gold Coast and Seoul in December 2019,

said they would be suspending the service because of coronavirus and the subsequent drop in demand.

“Customers will be offered a range of options including the option to defer their travel dates until March 2021 or a refund if they no longer wish to travel,” a statement from the airline read.

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Jetstar will officially suspend flights to Seoul from this Sunday.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced New Australian travel bans. Picture: Lukas Coch/AAP

“Customers who have commenced their outward journey at the time of suspension are asked to contact our customer team to discuss options for a return flight home.”

A spokesperson for Jetstar said the suspension would take place from Sunday, March 8, 2020 and conclude towards the end of June however that period may be increased.

The airline has two more scheduled flights between now and their official suspension date on Sunday, but will make a decision on their Friday, March 6, 2020 flight from the Gold Coast to Seoul, and the return journey on Saturday, March 7, 2020 within the next 24 hours.

Last month, Virgin Australia announced they will pull flight services from Hong Kong, following a review on the “challenging” route and a growing uncertainty around the coronavirus outbreak.

The airline said the Hong Kong market had weakened following ongoing civil unrest, and combined with growing uncertainty around the recent coronavirus outbreak, the airline was left with no other choice.