From April 18, Korean Air will begin operating twice-daily flights from Incheon International Airport (ICN) in Seoul, to Kobe, Japan in response to a growing demand for more available travel options to the country.

Kobe has been a hub city in Japan since 1868 due to its ports and international trade, but despite that this new flight plan will mark the first time a Korean flag carrier will operate the route.

Kobe’s central location means that nearby cities like Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara are just under an hour’s drive away, making it a convenient location for travelers planning a visit, and therefore a strategic destination for Korean Air to operate to.

Korean Air, as one of the largest transpacific airlines, operating for more than 55 years and flying between 113 cities across 40 countries, aims to expand its network and connection with Japan even further with this launch.