In said traffic with Japan and Southeast Asia led growth by increasing 15.6 percent and 11.6 percent, respectively, last month, compared to a year earlier. Corresponding numbers for China, on the other hand, dropped 21 percent due to strained diplomatic ties between South Korea and China over the deployment of an advanced U.S. missile defense system in South Korea.

The latest findings showed that while international air traffic rose, domestic passenger numbers decreased 3.7 percent on-year to 2.22 million users.

Combined international and domestic traffic, meanwhile, moved up 2.8 percent last month from a year earlier to 9.08 million people leaving and arriving the Northeast Asian country in the 28-days of the month.

By airport, passenger traffic rose at Incheon International Airport, the country's main air hub, along with Gimhae and Daegu airports. In contrast, passenger traffic at Jeju international Airport contracted.

Air cargo for the month edged down 1.2 percent on-year to 325,000 tons as there were fewer working days due to the long Lunar New year holiday. (Yonhap)