Surge in Pet Travel Demand as Pet Ownership Hits 15 Million in South Korea

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As the number of pet owners in South Korea exceeds 15 million, the demand for travel with pets is rapidly increasing. This trend is largely influenced by the growing population of pet families, who consider their pets as part of the family, making it difficult to find someone to care for them during trips.

According to the airline industry, there has been a notable increase in the demand for pet travel. This demand is particularly concentrated during peak seasons such as holidays and summer vacation. For instance, Jeju Air reported that the number of passengers traveling with pets during the Lunar New Year, Chuseok, and summer vacation periods was over 26% higher than usual. Last year, the number of pet travelers reached 18,200, averaging around 1,500 per month. However, during peak seasons, this number has been known to soar to 1,900. In February of this year, which included the Lunar New Year holiday, the number of pet travel reservations reached approximately 2,000.

Major airlines are witnessing similar trends. Korean Air recorded a total of 57,595 applications for in-cabin and checked transport of pets for 2024, marking a 12.6% increase compared to the previous year. Compared to 27,533 applications in 2020, this figure has more than doubled in just four years. Asiana Airlines also reported an increase, with 27,572 applications for 2024, representing a 57% rise compared to 17,651 in 2019. Last year, Tway Airlines recorded about 26,000 uses of its T-Pet pet transport service.

Airlines are competing with different transport standards and additional services to enhance their appeal. Korean Air and Asiana Airlines allow in-cabin travel for pets weighing up to 7 kg, including the cage, while also offering checked transport. On the other hand, low-cost carriers (LCC) such as Jeju Air, Tway Airlines, and Eastar Jet have raised their in-cabin weight limit to 9 kg, promoting ease of use. Some LCCs have launched package deals that bundle exclusive pet membership benefits and cage rental services, going beyond mere transportation to enhance the travel experience for pet owners.