Gang Neung – Niigata Air Route will be Straightened

The Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs says that the Gang Neung-Niigata air route will be straightened. The route, launched in 1977, has been a major air link between Korea and the U.S., Mid Pacific (Hawaii) and north Japan.

As Korea and Japan's Air Authorities and governments agreed to shorten the line and the Airspace Committee confirmed the decision on December 22, the straight line will start its service in June 2010.

It is expected that it will reduce flight distance by 21km (about 2 minutes), oil consumption worth of 700 million won and CO2 emission by 2,859 tons, which will eventually improve economic efficiency and lower GHG emissions.