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South Korean low-cost carrier Eastar Jet will launch daily non-stop service between Busan (Gimhae) and Hong Kong on October 25, 2026, coinciding with the start of the winter flight schedule. Operating seven flights per week, the route offers travelers from the Yeongnam region a direct daily gateway to Hong Kong without transferring through Incheon International Airport. The service is operated with 189-seat Boeing 737-800 aircraft, with ticket bookings now open on the official website and mobile app. Eastar Jet Official Announcement

Eastar Jet Boeing 737-800 HL8023 aircraft exterior
Eastar Jet Boeing 737-800 (HL8023). The scheduled Busan–Hong Kong service will be operated by single-class 189-seat Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Photo: ltdccba / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped)

Flight Schedule and Timetable

Route Flight Local Departure Local Arrival Duration Operating Days
Busan (PUS) → Hong Kong (HKG) ZE931 21:30 00:10 (+1) 3h 40m Daily (7x weekly)
Hong Kong (HKG) → Busan (PUS) ZE932 02:00 07:05 4h 05m Daily (7x weekly)

Departure and arrival times are listed in local standard time for each airport (Hong Kong is 1 hour behind South Korea). Outbound flight ZE931 departs Gimhae International Airport at 21:30 and lands at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) at 00:10 the following day. This evening departure allows office workers to travel directly after work without taking day-of leave.

Return flight ZE932 departs Hong Kong at 02:00 and arrives back at Gimhae Airport at 07:05. This overnight flight schedule enables travelers to spend their entire final evening sightseeing and dining in Hong Kong before catching an early morning return flight that allows for an immediate resumption of daytime routines.

Gimhae International Airport international terminal exterior
International terminal at Gimhae International Airport. The flight schedule is tailored around Gimhae's night curfew (23:00 to 06:00), departing at 21:30 and arriving at 07:05. Photo: LERK / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)

Schedule Efficiency for Yeongnam Travelers

Gimhae International Airport operates a mandatory night curfew from 23:00 to 06:00 to reduce noise in surrounding residential neighborhoods. Eastar Jet’s schedule is precisely arranged to depart at 21:30 (before curfew begins) and touch down at 07:05 (immediately after curfew lifts).

  1. Eliminating Incheon Transit Costs: Residents of Busan, Ulsan, South Gyeongsang, Daegu, and North Gyeongsang save one-way KTX fares (approx. 50,000–60,000 KRW) and 5 to 6 hours of round-trip transit time otherwise required to reach Incheon Airport.
  2. Weekend Getaway Feasibility: Travelers can depart on Friday evening at 21:30, spend Saturday and Sunday exploring Hong Kong, depart early Monday morning at 02:00, and arrive in Busan by 07:05 to commute directly to work.
  3. Streamlined Airport Processing: Gimhae Airport’s single international terminal features shorter walking distances and faster security and immigration clearance compared to mega-hub facilities, making a 19:30 arrival sufficient for departure.
Hong Kong International Airport baggage claim hall
Baggage claim hall at Hong Kong International Airport. Following the 00:10 touchdown, immigration checks and baggage retrieval generally take 30 to 50 minutes, leading travelers to the arrivals hall between 00:40 and 01:00. Photo: Base64 / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)

Midnight Arrival and Ground Transportation

With a scheduled arrival time of 00:10, travelers will typically clear customs and reach the public arrivals hall between 00:40 and 01:00. Transit options during these late hours require careful advance planning:

  • Airport Express (AEL): The final AEL train bound for Hong Kong Station departs Hong Kong Airport at approximately 00:48. Travelers with carry-on luggage only may catch this train if flights arrive on time, but checked baggage delays or immigration queues make missing this train likely.
  • Overnight Cityflyer Buses (N-Buses): The primary public transit option following the end of AEL services.
    • Route N21: Serves Kowloon destinations including Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok, and Yau Ma Tei; departs roughly every 20 minutes (fare: approx. 23.8 HKD).
    • Route N11: Serves Hong Kong Island destinations including Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, and Central (fare: approx. 31.0 HKD).
    • Both accept Octopus cards as well as contactless credit cards (Visa and Mastercard).
  • Urban Taxis (Red Taxis): Available 24 hours at the airport taxi station. Typical fares range from 270 to 320 HKD to Tsim Sha Tsui and 350 to 400 HKD to Central/Wan Chai (cross-harbour tunnel tolls and luggage fee of 6 HKD per piece charged extra).
MTR Airport Express counter at Hong Kong International Airport
MTR Airport Express service counter inside Hong Kong International Airport. The last train departs at 00:48; midnight travelers should verify night bus boarding locations in advance. Photo: LN9267 / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)

Late Check-In and Return Logistics

Late-night arrivals and early-morning departures demand specific accommodation and scheduling management:

  1. Mandatory Hotel Late Check-In Notice: Travelers will reach downtown hotels between 01:30 and 02:30. You must notify your hotel in advance via email or booking platform messaging of your estimated 02:00 arrival time to prevent the room from being cancelled as a no-show. Always book properties with a 24-hour front desk.
  2. Luggage Storage on Departure Day: Hotel check-out is typically 11:00 or 12:00. Leaving luggage with the hotel concierge frees travelers to spend the entire day and evening exploring Victoria Harbour and night markets. Check-in counters at Hong Kong Airport open approximately 3 hours before departure (around 23:00). Airport dining options are largely closed past midnight, making an evening dinner in town advisable before transiting to the airport.
Night skyline across Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong
Victoria Harbour night skyline in Hong Kong. With departure scheduled at 02:00, visitors can enjoy evening skyline views and night markets before heading to the airport. Photo: Benh LIEU SONG / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)

Pre-Booking Checklist

Checklist Item Key Information
Operating Period Daily flights (7x weekly) starting with the winter schedule on October 25, 2026 (Sun)
Aircraft Fleet Boeing 737-800 (189 seats, all-economy layout)
Baggage Policy Complimentary 10 kg carry-on bag included. Promotional super-deal fares exclude checked bags (15 kg bundle purchase required)
Immigration Entry South Korean passport holders enjoy 90 days visa-free tourist entry. Passport must be valid beyond intended stay (6 months recommended)
Border Formalities Paper arrival cards are no longer required; computerized passport inspection issues a Landing Slip
Refund Policies Discounted promotional tickets carry strict cancellation and amendment fees; check fare conditions before checkout
Counter Closing Check-in counters close 50 minutes prior to departure at Gimhae and 60 minutes prior at Hong Kong Airport

Reservations are available across Eastar Jet’s official website and mobile application. Weekend and holiday seats tend to sell out early; review flight availability in advance.

Official Sources and Verification Date

Verification Date: October 9, 2026. Route schedules and aircraft details were cross-referenced against Eastar Jet’s official schedule release. Midnight transit and border entry regulations were confirmed via Hong Kong International Airport and Hong Kong Immigration Department official guides.

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