Air New Zealand flights to Seoul to end

Air New Zealand is ending its non-stop flights to Seoul, but Kiwis can still travel there directly through Korean Air. Photo / 123RF

Air New Zealand’s non-stop flights to Seoul in South Korea will end this year.

The national carrier said it would not return to the South Korean capital from October, citing ongoing challenges with engine availability across its fleet.

The last flight from Incheon International Airport to Auckland Airport will be on March 29, 2025.

“We understand this will be disappointing for some customers, and we sincerely apologise for the impact,” said Air New Zealand chief commercial officer Jeremy O’Brien.

“Due to the ongoing challenges with engine availability, we have reviewed our network to ensure we are set up to operate our schedule effectively and best deliver for our customers’ needs.”

Air NZ said the change will affect a small number of customers. It said it would proactively contact them with “rebooking options on alternative services, which include stop-overs and connections with the airline’s partner carriers”.

Customers would have the option of transferring their fare to a credit or get a full refund.

After March 29, passengers booking flights to Seoul through Air NZ would have a stopover at one of the airline’s other Asian destinations, such as Singapore or Taipei, before connecting to Seoul through partner airlines.

“We remain committed to providing seamless travel experiences for our customers and will work closely with our partners to ensure connectivity to Seoul remains accessible,” the airline said, adding it would review its network and make decisions based on customer demand as aircraft and engines become available.

The airline also expressed gratitude for its customers' “patience and understanding” as it navigated the change and challenges.

While Air NZ is ending its scheduled seasoned flights to the South Korean capital, Kiwis still have non-stop flights available to them through a different airline.

Korean Air operates one scheduled service from Auckland to Seoul’s Incheon Airport daily at 11.45am, reaching the final destination around 12 hours later.