Asiana Airlines will expand its Italian network from early 2017. The South Korean carrier plans to add non-stop flights from Seoul Incheon (ICN) to Palermo Punta Raisi Airport (PMO) in Sicily. This will be the first time an Asian carrier has offered scheduled flights to the Mediterranean’s largest island.

Anthony Barbagallo, from Sicily’s tourism commission made the announcement during a recent visit from a South Korean delegation to Sicily. Barbagallo explains there is strong demand from Korean and also Chinese and Japanese visitors to the island. This new non-stop link will facilitate tourists from these nations to visit Sicily.

Palermo will be Asian’s second Italian station after Rome Fiumicino where it operates 3 times weekly 777 (4 during peak times) from the Incheon hub. Asiana also offers scheduled charter services to Milan Malpensa and Venice Marco Polo from time.

New ICN-PMO services remain subject to regulatory approval.