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Published on January 15, 2025
Orlando to Enhance Global Air Connectivity with Direct Flights to Incheon, Boosting Tourism and Business with South KoreaSource: Osceola County, Florida

Orlando is poised to become even more accessible to international travelers, particularly those from South Korea. A new "Participation Agreement" has been inked, setting the stage for direct flights between Incheon Airport and Orlando International Airport (MCO), according to Osceola County, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA), which operates MCO and has collaborated with Osceola County and other regional stakeholders, much anticipated this move.

The deal, announced Monday by Lee Hag-jae, President and CEO of Incheon International Airport, will enhance business and recreational travel between the two countries. Kevin J. Thibault, CEO of GOAA, echoed these sentiments, articulating hopes to bolster the quality of transportation networks and advance technological innovation. Through this initiative, both airports, Incheon International and Orlando International, want to reflect their status as pivotal economic hubs, as described during the partnership announcement.

The dialogue had been progressing since last year when Osceola County Commissioner Cheryl Grieb led a trade mission to South Korea, which included GOAA, the City of Orlando, the Orlando Economic Partnership, and figures from the tourism and airline industries. Grieb affirmed that this agreement aligns with the region's vision to strengthen the ties between NeoCity's tech sector, known for its semiconductor developments, and the global marketplace. Enabling direct flights is projected to amplify business relationships, attract investments, and benefit the technological standing of Central Florida's region, which is widely known for its prowess in this area.

Incheon International Airport, which opened in 2001 and serves as a major Northeast Asian hub with significant gate and runway capacity, sees this partnership as a noteworthy advance in connectivity that could usher in a new era of travel efficiency, particularly for visitors from not just South Korea, but other Asian markets like Japan and China, stated DT Minich, President, and CEO of Experience Kissimmee. The new route could foster an increase in tourism and professional exchanges with Central Florida's key industries - including entertainment giants and evolving sectors like AI, aerospace, and semiconductors.

For additional information about this development, the Chief Operating Officer of NeoCityLinks, Jessica J. Kim, can be reached at her provided contact information, which is shared in the announcement.

Orlando-Transportation & Infrastructure