South Korea`s two full-service airlines, Korean Air Lines and Asiana Airlines, said Thursday they have decided to extend the expiration of frequent flyer miles by one year as the coronavirus continues to impact travel across the globe, forcing many passengers to cancel their trips.

The decision followed a discussion with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Fair Trade Commission, the airlines said.

As a result, passengers will be able to use mileage points set to expire this year until next year.

As of the second week of this month, the airlines’ flights on international routes were down by 96 percent compared to a year ago, while many countries have maintained entry restrictions on incoming passengers due to infection fears.

Korean Air operates its international route flights at only 20 percent of its capacity. Its rival Asiana has a grimmer figure of 9.5 percent, with 655 weekly flights down to 62.

Korean Air has run frequent flyer programs with 10-year expiration dates for miles accumulated after July 1, 2008. Asiana has similar mileage programs.

The carriers said passengers will be able to use mileage points accumulated in 2010 to book flights for departure before the end of 2022.

By Choi Geun-do

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