Flight QW9891 departed from Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport on Dec 21, officially beginning a direct route between Qingdao and Daegu, South Korea. This marks the first direct air connection between the two cities since they became sister cities in 1993 and the first such route from Shandong province to Daegu.

Operated by Qingdao Airlines, the flight takes about two hours, reducing travel time by nearly half compared to transit options and placing Qingdao and Daegu within a "three-hour flight circle".

Qingdao airport, a crucial gateway in Northeast Asia, is known for its extensive network and quality transit services, making it a popular travel choice between China, Japan, and South Korea. Currently, the airport manages 37 daily round-trip passenger flights to South Korea. With the resumption of the Qingdao-Seoul route by T'way Air on Dec 10 and the new Qingdao-Daegu route, Qingdao airport now offers direct flights to major South Korean cities, including Seoul, Busan, Jeju, Cheongju, and Daegu.

The Seoul route, in particular, is one of the busiest between China and South Korea, ranking second nationwide in passenger volume in 2025. As of Dec 19, over 1.09 million mainland residents have traveled to South Korea through Qingdao airport, a 7 percent increase from the previous year.

The new Qingdao-Daegu route not only provides a convenient air link but also strengthens business and cultural exchanges between Qingdao and its sister city Daegu. Qingdao airport plans to continue expanding its international routes, supporting regional openness and cultural tourism exchanges. 

Flight QW9891 departs from Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport on Dec 21, officially beginning a direct route between Qingdao and Daegu, South Korea. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]