IAG Cargo, a cargo division of International Airlines Group (IAG) (IAG), relaunched its direct cargo service from the United Kingdom (UK) to South Korea on November 26, 2020.

IAG Cargo resumed the London Heathrow (LHR) – Seoul-Incheon (ICN) trade route, which was terminated due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The air carrier outlined that since the restart of operations, it will conduct regular cargo flights three times a week.

Alec Rayner, the Area Commercial Manager for Japan and Korea at IAG Cargo, explained that the return of the LHR-ICN route is the latest in a series of relaunches for the company‘s services. IAG Cargo resumed its London Heathrow cargo service to Japan in October 2020.

“South Korea is an important part of our network and we are delighted to be reopening London Heathrow-Seoul for our customers, “ said Rayner in a press release.

“Last year the UK-Korea Free Trade Agreement was signed allowing businesses between South Korea and the United Kingdom to guarantee a continued free flow of goods, supporting the movement of South Korean pharmaceutical, automotive and e-commerce goods to reach hundreds of destinations and British goods to reach South Korea,” added Rayner.

Ryaner outlined that the LHR-ICN route is significant for the export of pharmaceutical goods between two countries as well as worldwide. With a potential for further expansion, South Korea is also considered to be a high growth market for electronics, automotive parts, and other goods export from the UK. 

IAG Cargo announced that it will operate the restarted LHR-ICN cargo operations on Boeing 787 freighters.