Korean Air will commence direct flights between Melbourne and Seoul in December, taking over the route previously served by Asiana Airlines following the completion of the two carriers' merger.
Korean Air's Melbourne–Seoul seasonal service will operate three times a week, with flights arriving into Melbourne at 8:30pm and departing for Seoul Incheon at 10:00pm on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
The service will operate from 18 December 2026 until 14 March 2027 on a Boeing 787-9, marking the first time since 2013 the carrier has operated out of Melbourne.
Melbourne Airport welcomed more than three million passengers in July, with more than a million international travellers making their way through Australia’s largest 24-hour gateway.
A total of 3,115,063 people travelled through Melbourne Airport for the month, down 2.5 per cent year-on-year, reflective of ongoing capacity reductions related to conflict in the Middle East.
Melbourne Airport Chief of Aviation Jim Parashos said the airport was thrilled to welcome Korean Air back to Victoria.
“The resumption of Korean Air operations at Melbourne Airport is a great outcome for Victorian travellers and for our tourism and trade ties with South Korea,” he said.
“South Korea is one of the world's major economies, and a reliable direct connection between Melbourne and Seoul matters for Victorian exporters, for our tourism sector and for the Korean community here in Victoria.
“We look forward to welcoming Korean Air back to Melbourne Airport and seeing this route continue to grow as part of the carrier's long-haul strategy.
“Despite short term challenges, we’ve just come off a record financial year for international travel and we’re confident that growth will continue, which is why we’re investing in infrastructure such as our new Pick up and Drop Off zones which are due to open in October.”
Passenger figures for July 2026:
| Passengers | July 2026 | July 2025 | Growth (%)* |
| International | 1,014,526 | 1,042,522 | -2.7% |
| Domestic | 2,100,537 | 2,152,650 | -2.4% |
| Total (excl. transits) | 3,115,063 | 3,195,172 | -2.5% |
*Monthly percentage growth compared to July 2025
Passenger figures for Financial Year to July
| Passengers | Financial Year 2026/27 | Financial Year 2025/26 | Growth (%)* |
| International | 1,014,526 | 1,042,522 | -2.7% |
| Domestic | 2,100,537 | 2,152,650 | -2.4% |
| Total (excl. transits) | 3,115,063 | 3,195,172 | -2.5% |
*percentage growth compared to FY 2025/26