News

Jeju Air goes international

13 Dec 2008

Jeju Air, Korea’s first low-cost carrier to provide international services with charter flights to Japan, will solidfy this position further with scheduled services to Osaka and Kitakyushu in March.

The airline intends to operate daily Incheon-Osaka flights and thrice weekly flights to Kitakyushu in Fukuoka on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Since July, the airline has run about 100 charter flights to other Japanese cities as Hiroshima, Sapporo, Kagoshima, Kochi and Matsuyama.

Kitakyushu is a niche market that few international airlines apart from China Southern Airlines and Russian carrier Vladivostok Air serve.

The Japanese government has actively encouraged Jeju Air to operate there, promising incentives such as cutting airport facility fees and financing its marketing campaign.

Fares for the Osaka service will be up to 25 percent less than Korea’s two full-service airlines, Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, and is intended to “create new demand from young travellers and family tourists,” a Jeju Air officials said.

The lower fares are also expected to set a new standard for the rates of international flights, as well as heat up the competition among airlines.

Since July, the airline has run about 100 charter flights to Japanese cities as Hiroshima, Sapporo, Kagoshima, Kochi and Matsuyama.

The low-cost carrier sector in Korea remains robust despite the recent closure of Hansung Airlines, and there are still enough players for competition to thrive. The list includeds Kostar, Yeongnam Air, Air Busan of Asiana Airlines and Jin Air of Korean Air, some of whom are also planning to start up international routes this year.

For more details, visit www.jejuair.net.

He Ruiming



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