CHEONGJU, South Korea – Aero K Airlines, based at Cheongju International Airport, has announced the launch of a new regular scheduled service to Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan, starting on May 21, 2025. This new route significantly expands international travel options for residents in the Cheongju area. Beyond a simple route expansion, this launch is expected to be a crucial turning point in revitalizing cultural and tourism exchanges between Cheongju City, Chungcheongbuk-do Province, and Hokkaido, Japan, particularly between Cheongju City and Obihiro City.
What Kind of Place is Obihiro?
Obihiro is a city located in the eastern part of Hokkaido, Japan. It is considered one of Hokkaido's representative regions, alongside Sapporo, captivating travelers with its rich natural landscapes and unique culture. Notably, Obihiro is situated in the heart of the Tokachi Plain, leading to its nickname as the "Kingdom of Food" due to its developed dairy and agricultural industries. It boasts an abundance of fresh milk and dairy products, as well as various foods utilizing diverse agricultural produce. In particular, Butadon (pork rice bowl) is famous as Obihiro's representative local dish. Furthermore, it is the only city in the world where the globally renowned Banei Horse Racing festival is held, offering a unique spectacle. In addition, it boasts various tourist attractions such as the Tokachi Museum (Tokachi Bussankan), where visitors can glimpse the history of northern Hokkaido's pioneering, and the beautiful flower-filled Tokachi Hills.
Enhanced Hokkaido Accessibility with Convenient Flight Schedule
Aero K Airlines' Cheongju-Obihiro route will operate three times a week (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays). The outbound flight (RF354) departs Cheongju International Airport at 2:00 PM and arrives in Obihiro at 4:30 PM local time. The return flight (RF353) departs Obihiro Airport at 6:00 PM local time and arrives back at Cheongju International Airport at 9:00 PM. This schedule allows Cheongju residents to visit Hokkaido comfortably even on weekdays, experiencing Obihiro's beautiful nature and culture.
Obihiro Officials Visit Korea, Paving the Way for Exchange and Cooperation
To commemorate this new route, key officials, including the Mayor of Obihiro, officially visited Cheongju City on May 20. They toured various industrial and cultural sites in Cheongju, starting with Aero K Airlines headquarters, then Cheongju City Hall, Osong Medical Innovation Foundation (K-Bio), Osong Convention Center (Osong Expo), and Cheongnamdae, the former presidential villa located by Daecheong Lake.
This visit served as an opportunity to showcase Cheongju's bio-industry capabilities and rich cultural infrastructure to the Obihiro delegation. It was an important occasion to explore practical exchanges and cooperation in various fields such as industry, medicine, and culture between the two regions. Obihiro officials are also scheduled to attend the regular service launch ceremony at Cheongju International Airport on May 21, reaffirming their strong commitment to continuous exchange and expanded partnership between the two cities.
Launch Commemorative Special Promotion Underway
To celebrate the conversion of the Obihiro route to a regular service, Aero K Airlines conducted a special one-day promotion on May 20, offering up to 97% discount on 13 international routes. This aims to reduce the burden of airfare, allowing more travelers to experience Hokkaido, Japan, through the new route. An Aero K Airlines official stated, "We will not only expand our routes but also faithfully serve as a window for exchange connecting regions and nations. We are also running various promotions to commemorate this regular service launch, so we ask for your continued interest and use."
The launch of the Cheongju-Obihiro route is expected to significantly contribute to the revitalization of international flights at Cheongju International Airport, as well as serve as a new starting point for promoting diverse exchanges in economy, culture, and tourism between Cheongju and Obihiro. With the opening of this new skyway to Obihiro, Hokkaido's hidden gem, Cheongju citizens now have a wider range of overseas travel options.
For more information on Aero K Airlines, please visit their website (www.aerok.com) or contact their customer service center (help@aerok.com or 1899-2299).
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