Airline offers direct flights from Melbourne to Seoul for first time

Travelers wanting to go from Melbourne to Seoul are for the first time able to fly directly between the cities;

South Korea's Asiana Airlines started flights between Melbourne to Seoul overnight, which will significantly reduce travel time, with travellers previously having to fly via other cities in Asia or Australia.

Melbourne Airport Chief of Aviation Jim Parashos said the new route would improve the cost and convenience of travel to South Korea's capital.

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"Until now, Seoul was one of our largest unserved markets, with travelers forced to connect through other ports in Australia or Asia," he said.

"These direct services will mean passengers and Victorian exporters can avoid the cost and inconvenience of transiting through another city to reach South Korea.

The airline is operating two direct flights a week between Melbourne Airport and the South Korean capital.

Flights will operate every Tuesday and Thursday, departing Melbourne at 10pm and arriving at Seoul's Incheon Airport the following morning.

With a population of more than nine million people, Seoul is a global economic hub and the gateway to one of the world's manufacturing powerhouses.

Parashos said the addition would help put downward pressure on airfares.

"We expect this seasonal service will prove popular and given the increasingly close business ties between Victoria and South Korea," he said.

"We are hopeful it will pave the way for regular, year-round flights in the future."