By Kim Jae-kyoung
Korea Times Correspondent

NAGOYA _ South Korean and Japanese Travelers will have improved access to their countries’ capitals, with direct flights between Kimpo and Haneda airports expected to double from August.

``The number of flights between Kimpo and Haneda, which are very close to their respective capital cities _ Seoul and Tokyo _ will double from the beginning of August,’’ said Mineo Yamamoto, president and CEO of All Nippon Airways (ANA), in an interview with The Korea Times.

He hinted negotiations between the two nations to increase flights on the Kimpo-Haneda route is at the final stage.

And it has drawn special attention as it came a few weeks after the Japanese press reported that an increase of flights on the route has been delayed. They reported that some Japanese politicians opposed the plan due to safety concerns at Haneda Airport.

``I think additional flights connecting Kimpo and Haneda, the domestic airports of Seoul and Tokyo, respectively, will help boost exchanges between the two countries both in culture and economy,’’ he added.

Currently, there are four direct flights on the route per day. They are provided by the countries’ flag carriers _ Asiana, Korean Air, ANA, and Japan Airlines.

The Kimpo-Haneda route reduces travel time from Seoul to Tokyo by as much as two hours, including 5-10 minutes in flight time. Inchon International Airport is located 52 kilometers from Seoul while Tokyo’s international airport in Narita, situated 70 kilometers from Japan’s capital city.

Asiana Airline president Park Chan-bup also signaled there will be a meaningful result from the ongoing negotiations.

``Since this is an issue that should be decided by the government, I’m not in a position to predict when additional flights will be awarded,’’ Park said.

``Still, given the necessity of additional flights on the route, I think that an increase in the number of flights will take place in the near future,’’ he added. ``The increase will help boost exchanges between the two nations and also work toward growth and development.’’

In the meantime, Yamamoto said that Hallyu is a good thing for the two nations because it will boost cultural exchange, thus helping young people better understand each other.

``Hallyu is a wonderful thing. Through the trend, young people from the two nations can run into different cultures, improving the relationship between the two countries,’’ he said.

Hallyu refers to the popularity of Korean pop culture and entertainers in vogue across Asia.

kjk@koreatimes.co.kr