Nearly 1 million people are expected to travel by air during Chuseok, the Korean Thanksgiving holiday, despite the government's advisory to stay at home to help contain the spread of COVID-19.
The Korea Airports Corp. estimated on Monday that some 963,000 people will use domestic airports, excluding Incheon International Airport, during the five-day holiday, which starts Wednesday and ends Sunday.
The figure represents a 25 percent drop from last year's tally of nearly 1.3 million, however, it is by no means considered low as the country is still fighting against a resurgence of coronavirus cases.
Airports also remain on heightened alert as they may end up serving as conduits for new local transmissions.
A representative of Gimpo International Airport in Seoul said, "Strict measures are needed during holidays more than ever," and requested that travelers maintain personal hygiene and follow disease control guidelines.
<Photo: Yonhap News>
