By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter

The summer vacation season is officially in gear and airlines have already started preparing large-scale charter flights to overseas tourist destinations.

From July to early September, Korean Air has announced that it will be operating charter flights to eight destinations, while Asiana Airlines plans to offer service to seven locations.

Flights from both of the nation's two flagship carriers are expected to enjoy especially high popularity this season, as a growing number of travelers prefer Korean carriers following the recent crash of Cambodia's PMT Air. Safety measures have been upgraded and are continually being monitored in order to ensure customer satisfaction.

Starting from this month, Korean Air will offer three weekly direct flights to Calgary, Canada, right through to Sept. 2. Calgary, the gateway to the Canadian Rockies, is a well-loved attraction for Koreans. This route is far more convenient for vacationers and students alike, as previously they had to transfer in Vancouver or Toronto.

The carrier will also charter flights to Cairns, Australia, from July 27 to Aug. 24. An A330 flight is scheduled to provide this service on Mondays and Fridays.

A total of five charter flights will bring tourists from Incheon to Irkutsk in Russia from Aug. 3 through 17. The Korean Air flights will depart Tuesday and Friday at 8:40 p.m.

Korean Air will also offer 12 charters to Huhhot, the capital of Neimenggu (Inner Mongolia) autonomous region in China, from July 15 to Aug. 22; 12 flights to Lankawi, Malaysia, from July 28 through Aug. 15; 15 flights to Pataya, Thailand; 10 flights to Kusiro, Japan; and 21 flights to Sapporo.

``We decided to operate charter flights on various routes for travelers who want relaxation in nature,'' a Korean Air official said.

Asiana has placed charter planes mainly to China and Japan.

It will operate four charter flights each for Miyazaki on July 6; Tokyo on July 14 and 16; Asahikawa on July 11 and 18; Nagoya on July 13 and 15; and Osaka on July 13 and 15.

A charter flight to Harbin of China departs Incheon on July 9, and between Jeju Island and Sendai on July 14 and 16.

``The number of overseas travelers jumps for summer vacation, so we arranged charter planes for resort destinations first. We also put charters on our key routes _ China and Japan,'' an Asiana Airlines official said.

rahnita@koreatimes.co.kr