The new airline launching in one of Asia's set-to-be-big holiday destinations – and could start flights to the UK
ON THE UP
ON THE UP The new airline launching in one of Asia's set-to-be-big holiday destinations – and could start flights to the UK
A NEW airline is launching its first flight in one of the top trending Asian destinations this year.
Parata Air is a South Korean low-cost airline that has plans to operate between Gimpo, Jeju, and Yangyang starting later this month - and has revealed plans for flights to Europe too.
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Parata Air has its first plane in Gimpo International Airport
Credit: Parata Airlines
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Seoul is the capital of South Korea - a country that's becoming popular with Brits
Credit: Alamy
In early August, 2025, Parata Airlines introduced the first plane through Gimpo International Airport in western Seoul.
The airline's first aircraft is an A330-200 model which has the potential to fly long-distance routes to the likes of Europe and North America.
Currently, Parata Airlines has lease agreements for a total of four aircraft.
These are two Airbus A330-200s and two Airbus A320-200s - its aim is to operate short-haul, as well as medium-to-long-haul flights from Seoul.
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Along with its domestic routes, Parata Air aims to launch international routes from Incheon to Japan and Vietnam.
Talking to Maeil Business Newspaper, Yoon Chul-min, CEO of Parata Airlines, said, "Based on our top priority, safety first, we will create differentiated values with punctuality and service that we have devoted our heart to.
"We need to become an airline that makes us expect excitement and pleasure and become a new challenger in the aviation market."
Parata Air was formerly known as Fly Gangwon which ceased operations in May 2023 after financial difficulty.
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Prior to that, Fly Gangwon flew to Tokyo, Clark in the Philippines as well as locations in Taiwan and Vietnam.
While they haven't officially confirmed UK flights, Europe could be one of the long haul destinations, especially as Korean culture becomes more popularised.
I went to the unusual holiday destination to be big in 2024 with direct flights, scrapped visas and cheap booze
South Korea is becoming a bucket list destination for Brits.
The capital, Seoul, was crowned the world's best solo travel destination by Tripadvisor in its Travellers' Choice Awards.
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Brits are enjoying the culture more too with the rise of K-pop, kimchee and makeup trends like 'glass skin'.
The good news for UK citizens is that you can enter South Korea without a visa for up to 90 days.
Previously, Brits had to pay for the K-ETA, a visa waiver, but this has been scrapped until December 31, 2025.
Even then the price of the waiver is just 10,000 KRW which equates to £5.43.
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Inside looks bright and airy with beige and blue seats
Credit: Parata
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South Korea has blossom season and is known for certain trends
Credit: Alamy
It will also be easier for Brits to get to Virgin Atlantic which will launch daily flights to Seoul from March 29, 2026.
The overnight London Heathrow-Seoul flights will take off at 9:45am, landing at 6:05am the following day.
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The return flight will take off at 8:35am and land at 3:05pm the same day.
The expansion to the Asian country will also allow connecting routes to destination like Japan, Vietnam and China.
If you don't want to go as far as South Korea - here's a London suburb that's been compared to it with restaurants and karaoke bars.
And more on the world's best airline, Korean Air that has new onboard suites and a unique 'honeymoon mode'.
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One Sun Travel Writer visited South Korea last year and here's what she found...
Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey visited South Korea last year where she visited the capital city as well as Gyeongbokgung Palace.
The country's capital city lies just 35 miles from the border with North Korea.
Start early and visit Gyeongbokgung Palace - we were there by 9am in time for the 10am changing of the guard performance, a 20-minute event that recreates the original ceremony.
A bottle of local beer can be found for just a few pounds - and we made sure to add some soju, a local rice wine, to your beer too.
And a visit to Korea is nothing without a K-pop dance class, where we danced to New Jeans at Frzm Studio, before partying into the early morning at a karaoke booth, also known as noraebang.
The second largest city in South Korea is Busan, found on the south coast.
Yet is is easy to get to, with a day trip from Seoul simple thanks to a high speed train taking between 2-3 hours.
And Instagrammers can rejoice thanks to the Gamcheon Culture Village, dubbed the Machu Picchu of Korea due to the many multicoloured, photogenic houses lining the cliff side.
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