Chinese airlines are cutting flights to Korea as the outbreak of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) reduces travel demand to the country.
Air China will cut the number of flights linking Beijing and Seoul to 21 a week from 24. The cut will run until the end of August, the official Xinhua newswire reported.
China Eastern Airlines will cut the number of its Kunming-Seoul flights from five to two a week between June 15 and June 30. From July 1 to the end of August, there will be three flights a week.
Other companies including China Southern Airlines, Shandong Airlines, Capital Airlines and budget carrier Spring Airlines have either cut or suspended flights to Korea.
South Korea surpassed Thailand and Japan to become the most favoured destination for Chinese outbound tourists in 2014 with 6.1 million visitors.
The Civil Aviation Administration of China on Friday ordered airline companies to strengthen education of crew members about the virus and enhance disinfection after passengers disembark.