Korean Job Discussion Forums

Jove · Joined: 20 Apr 2003 Location: Over the hill

I was getting excited about the possibility of a discount airline coming to Korea and maybe making it a bit cheaper to fly away from this country during my down time. Granted, Tiger Airways were going to start with domestic flights, but now even that seems to be going out the door.

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/02/113_18707.html

http://www.traveldailynews.com/pages/show_page/26894

Just seems to be more reinforcement that Korea becoming a global hub for anything is ridiculous.

itaewonguy · Joined: 25 Mar 2003

I agree.. I just dont get it..
I mean europe has so many budget airlines, you can fly from the UK to spain for 40bucks!

trying to get to thailand cost you 600 bucks here!!
I mean you would think, some billionair asian guy would open a real asian discount airline which covers the east right down to the south east.. and cover it all.. you would make a killing really...
but I guess airlines are already making a killing.. so why bother..
not to mention if they came to korea it would destroy korean air!

sojourner1 · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 10:16 pm Post subject:

It's about protecting domestic interests. If Korea did open it's market up to foreign business, then the domestic producers would fail due to their prices being too high. They'd have to change their ways and offer more for less. Most all sorts of domestic products and services are protected and prices are kept artificially high through restricting import and foreign business. If foreign, it must be owned and worked by Koreans, thus, making it a foreign style or knock off product or service at a trumped up price only a deprived consumer base will support.

Koreans know they would lose many jobs and businesses if Korea opens up to be a free market place like most other parts of the world. No discounts available. Not even to foreigners doing a public service like teaching English or serving in the US Army. Many foreigners don't enjoy Korea much on account of having such limited options, but these are all Koreans know so it doesn't phase them. And then flying out is a challenge.

Protectionism causing people in Korea to pay high prices, have severely limited selection, and suffer limited quality in products and services is the very reason why I don't like living in Korea. It's boring and expensive.

jvalmer · Joined: 06 Jun 2003

I think the only hope is an airline like airasia expanding routes into Korea. I don't think asia can handle too many discounts airliners, well because most people in the region don't have disposable income. Only 6, or so, in region country's citizens really can afford to travel. And half of them are only city-states.