Travel
Emirates expected to launch direct Busan–Dubai route as airline prepares local office in Central Busan
Haps Magazine Korea
January 5, 2026
(Photo courtesy of Haps Magazine Korea)
A direct air route linking Busan’s Gimhae International Airport with Dubai is increasingly likely to launch as early as the first half of this year, as Emirates Airlines moves ahead with preparations to open a passenger service office in downtown Busan and begins staffing for local operations.
Although the airline has not yet issued a formal announcement, industry and government officials note that several indicators point toward an active route launch effort.
The move follows the creation of new traffic rights last November allowing flights between UAE airports and Korea’s regional airports, opening the door for carriers to expand service beyond Incheon.
According to local media, one of the strongest signals comes from staffing plans for the Busan office. Airlines that operate only basic sales activity in a region typically assign one or two employees, but Emirates is reportedly hiring five new staff members for its Busan operation, a scale more in line with route preparation than routine marketing activity.
At present, direct flights to Dubai operate only from Incheon, served by Korean Air and Emirates.
Travelers from Busan, Ulsan, and the wider Gyeongnam region must travel to the capital to board Dubai-bound flights, meaning a Gimhae–Dubai connection would significantly improve convenience for international travelers in the southeast.
Dubai also serves as one of the world’s key long-haul transfer hubs, connecting to Europe, Africa, and beyond. A new route would allow passengers to depart directly from Busan, transit through Dubai, and continue onward to global destinations, or even spend a short stopover in the city before catching a connecting flight.
Current projections within the aviation sector suggest that Emirates may target a June–July launch window, subject to government authorization, slot allocation, and final agreements with local ground-handling, maintenance, and fueling service partners.
Busan City and the Korea Airports Corporation plan to meet with Emirates within the month to confirm the progress and feasibility of the route.
If finalized, the service would mark a major expansion of Busan’s international flight network and strengthen its role as a regional aviation gateway.