Seoul: South Korea and Algeria have reached an agreement to establish direct air services and designate traffic rights between the two countries, as announced by the transport ministry. This development marks a significant step in enhancing connectivity and facilitating travel between South Korea and Algeria.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the two nations had initially signed an air services agreement in January 2005, which came into effect in July 2009. However, the absence of negotiations regarding traffic rights had previously hindered the initiation of direct flights. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport revealed in a press release that both parties have now agreed to designate traffic rights for up to four weekly passenger and cargo flights.

Currently, South Korea operates only one direct route to Africa, which is the Incheon-Addis Ababa service to Ethiopia. This comes despite the strong growth potential of the continent and an increasing demand for intercontinental travel. The newly established agreement with Algeria is seen as a strategic move to tap into this potential.

"The agreement is significant because it will help attract not only traffic to and from Algeria but also transfer passengers from across Africa and some Mediterranean countries traveling to South Korea," a ministry official stated. This development is expected to improve connectivity and offer more travel options for passengers traveling between the two regions.