Air Busan vows to fly directly to city of Terracotta Warriors

Budget airline Air Busan said yesterday it plans to launch direct flights in April linking the nation’s second-largest city of Busan with the ancient Chinese capital of Xi’an, in Shaanxi Province.

The Busan-based airline, controlled by Korea’s No. 2 full-service carrier Asiana Airlines, said it will offer night flights four times a week - Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays - using its 195-seat A321-200 passenger jet.

The debut flight is set to depart from Gimhae International Airport at 10:05 p.m. on April 3 and land in Xian at 2:20 a.m.

Air Busan CEO Kim Su-cheon said he will strengthen Air Busan’s position in China by launching regular flight to the biggest city in northwest China, which has the potential to become a major economic hub given its rich history.

The planned move will raise the number of routes operated by Air Busan to two destinations in China. Currently, the carrier flies to and from the Chinese port city of Qingdao.