SEOUL: A significant rise in cancellations of airline tickets and travel packages was reported on Monday as fears about aviation safety intensified following a fatal crash involving Jeju Air, which resulted in the loss of 179 lives, industry sources indicated.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Jeju Air Co. announced that by 1 p.m., 68,000 flight reservations had been canceled. The breakdown of these cancellations showed that over 33,000 tickets were for domestic flights, while approximately 34,000 were for international routes. The surge in cancellations largely occurred after 9 a.m. on Sunday, coinciding with the crash of Jeju Air flight 7C2216 at Muan International Airport, which was carrying 181 individuals.
In addition to airline ticket cancellations, local travel agencies have also observed a rise in the cancellation of tour packages following the incident. Numerous agencies have opted to halt their television and online advertisements, as well as promotional campaigns, in response to the growing public concern.
"We had about 40 inquiries regarding travel cancellations on Sunday alone," stated a travel agent who chose to remain anonymous. "We saw about double the usual amount of cancellations and a 50 percent decrease in bookings." Industry experts highlight that the travel sector is vigilantly observing developments, expecting a sustained impact as apprehensions about aviation safety persist.