Parata Air has successfully secured a significant share of traffic rights for key Chinese routes, including flights between Incheon and Shanghai, as part of Korea's efforts to expand low-cost carrier (LCC) operations in the rapidly recovering Chinese market. The airline received allocations from the Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) for both the Incheon–Shanghai and Yangyang–Shanghai routes, securing seven weekly flights across these corridors.
Traffic rights, established through bilateral agreements, determine the number of operating flights permitted between countries. Parata Air's new rights include four weekly flights on the Incheon–Shanghai and three on the Yangyang–Shanghai routes, boosting total traffic rights for Shanghai routes and supporting route expansion initiatives. This development follows an upward revision of passenger traffic rights between Korea and China, with the bilateral agreement increasing permissible weekly flights from 608 to 664.
Industry analysts see these allocations as a positive sign of competitive revival, especially as passenger demand from Korea to China continues to grow. Notably, demand has outpaced capacity growth, with over 11 million passengers traveling to China in the first seven months of the year. The ongoing policy improvements, including visa exemptions, are expected to sustain high passenger volumes and intensify competition on routes historically dominated by full-service carriers.
A Parata Air official stated that securing the Shanghai route, known for high demand in tourism and business sectors, may significantly improve profitability and serve as a gateway for transfer traffic to the Americas. The airline also emphasized its commitment to operational safety and punctuality through aircraft upgrades and expanded maintenance capabilities.
