Turkmenistan starts Incheon-Ashgabat flights
INCHEON — Turkmenistan started its first-ever direct passenger flight between Incheon and Ashgabat on Monday, marking a milestone in connectivity between Korea and Central Asia.
The new route, operating once a week every Monday boosts access to Turkmenistan and eases onward connections to major European cities such as Frankfurt, Milan and Istanbul. With Ashgabat — Turkmenistan's capital and a key Silk Road city — as its hub, the route is a strategic bridge between East and West.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, Lee Hack-young, Deputy Speaker of Korea's National Assembly, hailed the route as a historic moment amid deepening Turkmen-Korean ties.
'This new route will serve as a bridge connecting people and cities, towns and communities,' said Lee.
'It will open new prospects for businesses, allow students to share each other's languages and cultures, and invite travelers to experience our rich and unique histories. More than a flight, this route will bring new energy to people-to-people exchanges and contribute to the safety and well-being of our citizens.'
Turkmenistan's vice minister of transport, Nazar Kakabayev, thanked Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedov for modernizing the county's aviation sector.
Kakabayev highlighted recent investments in modern aircraft and aviation infrastructure as part of a broader national transport development strategy.
'We are opening a new chapter in our transport relations,' said Kakabayev Nazar, adding that since April 2023, regular cargo services have significantly enhanced trade, covering over 100,000 kilometers and transporting more than 9,000 metric tons of goods.
Among the flight's first passengers was 21-year-old Korean traveler Kwon Gyeong-min. 'It's my first trip to Europe, and being the first passenger feels special and meaningful,' Kwon told The Korea Herald.
'Turkmenistan has many unique tourist attractions, including the 'Derweze gas crater' next to the hellfire site. I believe that with this new route, more routes will be added in the future.'
Turkmenistan Ambassador to Korea Begench Durdyyev highlighted the importance of the strategic new route and a series of high-level exchanges.
'Now, following the start of cargo flights in April 2023, the introduction of direct passenger flights between our two countries marks a new beginning,' said Durdyyev.
'This is not the time to relax, but to continue working together with determination to reach new goals,' Durdyyev said, noting bilateral trade had surged by 70 percent in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
Durdyyev described Turkmenistan as a land of ancient heritage and modern progress, highlighting its UNESCO sites, over 2,000 historic landmarks and Ashgabat as a rising smart city with more than 20 certifications and global awards.
sanjaykumar@heraldcorp.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Korea Herald
2 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Busan to host 2026 UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting
48th session of annual UNESCO meeting on world heritage to be held in southern port city next July Busan won the bid to host the 48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting, the Korea Heritage Service said early Wednesday, marking South Korea's first time as host since the meeting was established in 1977. The annual meeting is the largest annual international event on the cultural heritage calendar and will take place in July 2026. The announcement was made during the 47th committee meeting in Paris on Tuesday. Busan was the sole bidder for next year's meeting. The Korea Herald has learned that Vietnam initially intended to enter a bid but later withdrew its decision to participate. "The host country is typically chosen on a rotational basis by continent so that each region gets a fair chance, and next year was expected to be Asia's turn. Since Japan and China have already hosted the event, and South Korea serves as a member of the committee, we actively expressed our desire to do so. Vietnam -- which could have been a competitor -- didn't expect to win, so it chose not to bid," a senior official at the KHS told The Korea Herald. South Korea was elected to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in November 2023 for a four-year term through 2027, marking the country's fourth such election. The KHS explained that convening a meeting of the 21-member World Heritage Committee where global strategies for artifact management are discussed would elevate Korea's international standing. The event is also expected to bring together government representatives who decide which sites to add to the World Heritage List and how to protect those enlisted. About 3,000 people are expected to attend the two-week event, according to the KHS. Previously, the meeting has been held in several Asian countries, including Cambodia's Phnom Penh and Siem Reap in 2013, China's Suzhou in 2004, Japan's Kyoto in 1998 and Thailand's Phuket in 1994.
Korea Herald
4 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Adyen Supports JOE & THE JUICE's International Growth and Expansion
The SFO1 payment terminal's 8-inch touch screen merges payment functions with customer-facing marketing displays to transform in-store payments experience NEW YORK, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Adyen, the global financial technology platform of choice for leading businesses, is partnering with urban juice bar and coffee concept JOE & THE JUICE to revolutionize its in-store payment experience with Adyen's proprietary multimedia countertop SFO1 terminal. For over a decade, JOE & THE JUICE has partnered with Adyen to streamline payment operations and drive efficiency across its growing global footprint. As the brand accelerates its expansion in the U.S. market, particularly in key cities like New York, it is turning to Adyen's technology to enrich in-store experience. The latest deployment of Adyen's SFO1 terminals marks a significant step, combining frictionless payments with integrated brand engagement and loyalty programs directly at the point of sale. This enables JOE & THE JUICE to turn each transaction into a moment of interaction, using real-time data and feedback to strengthen the brand and foster deeper customer connections. As part of its U.S. growth strategy, JOE & THE JUICE is using these intelligent terminals not just to simplify checkout, but to gather insights that help inform store experiences, shape its marketing approach, and ultimately, build long-term customer loyalty in a highly competitive F&B landscape. "Adyen has been a trusted partner and leveraging their financial technology to expand internationally was an easy decision," said Nicolai Schnack, CTO at JOE & THE JUICE. "Adyen's new SFO1 terminal allows us to adapt to various market environments, enhancing our in-store experience to match the retail environment. It enables us to meet customers where they are, fostering a global connection to the brand." The SFO1 terminal supports Joe & The Juice's digital expansion by enabling pre-ordering through the app, providing personalized loyalty incentives, and incorporating marketing content directly at checkout. This shift reflects the growing consumer demand for personalized brand experiences in the company's U.S. and European markets. "The way customers interact at checkout varies between U.S. and European audiences across contactless payments and credit usage, for example, and we're excited to help support JOE & THE JUICE cater to local consumer preferences," said Roelant Prins, Chief Commercial Officer at Adyen. "The SFO1 terminal makes it easier to reward and learn from customers in real-time. It's a great example of how the point of sale can become a point of connection." Learn more about the SFO1 terminal here. About JOE & THE JUICE JOE & THE JUICE is an urban juice bar and coffee concept operating in more than 400 locations across 18 countries. Founded in 2002, the company sells freshly prepared juices, shakes, sandwiches, and coffee using natural and organic ingredients sourced from growers directly. Joe & the Juice's differentiated concept creates a modern, urban, and hip ambiance for on-the-go customers focused on a healthy lifestyle. For more on our authentic and unique brand: About Adyen Adyen (AMS: ADYEN) is the financial technology platform of choice for leading companies. By providing end-to-end payments capabilities, data-driven insights, and financial products in a single global solution, Adyen helps businesses achieve their ambitions faster. With offices around the world, Adyen works with the likes of Meta, Uber, H&M, eBay, and Microsoft. The cooperation with JOE & THE JUICE as described in this merchant update underlines Adyen's continuous growth with current and new merchants over the years.
Korea Herald
11 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Classroom out, summer in
Students rushed down the hallway with excitement at Buil Elementary School in Bupyeong-gu, Incheon, Tuesday, marking the start of summer break. Many elementary, middle and high schools across the country are beginning their summer vacations this week, which typically last three to four weeks. This summer, 8 out of 10 Korean office workers are planning to take a vacation, with the vast majority opting for domestic travel, according to a survey released last month by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Of 800 respondents, 81.6 percent said they had vacation plans, and 83.5 percent of them preferred domestic destinations. Among domestic travel destinations, Gangwon Province was the most popular, selected by 34.9 percent, followed by the North and South Gyeongsang provinces (27.9 percent), Jeju Island (22.4 percent) and the North and South Jeolla provinces (20 percent). Among those planning overseas trips, the top choices were Japan (50.9 percent) and Southeast Asia (45.4 percent). The most common expected vacation budget per person was 535,000 won ($385), a 9.4 percent increase from last year's 489,000 won.
