Jin Air, First Domestic LCC to Enter US Mainland... Cargo Flights to LA

Deployment of B777-200ER Capable of Medium- to Long-Haul Flights... Transporting 23 Tons of Electronic Components

[Asia Economy Reporter Yu Je-hoon] Jin Air has become the first domestic low-cost carrier (LCC) to enter the U.S. mainland market and has commenced cargo transportation.

Jin Air announced on the 2nd that on the 31st, it operated a flight from Incheon to Los Angeles (LA), U.S., carrying approximately 23 tons of electronic components such as displays on a B777-200ER passenger aircraft. This cargo flight was operated using the belly cargo method, where the entire lower fuselage of the passenger aircraft is used as a cargo hold.

Jin Air's Incheon-LA route marks the first case of a domestic LCC operating flights to the U.S. mainland. Unlike other domestic LCCs whose main aircraft are B737 and A320 series, Jin Air owns the mid-sized B777-200ER, capable of long-haul flights to regions such as the Americas and Europe. Jin Air plans to continue utilizing the B777-200ER aircraft to secure various high value-added cargo demands.

Previously, Jin Air also converted one B777-200ER passenger aircraft into a dedicated cargo plane and operates 'cargo seatbacks,' which allow cargo to be loaded in place of passengers above the cabin seats in regular passenger aircraft.

Jin Air stated, "Thanks to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's prompt administrative support, we were able to timely proceed with the Incheon-LA route operation, cargo aircraft conversion, and cargo seatback operations." They added, "We will continue to do our best to overcome crises and generate sustainable profits based on differentiated fleet competitiveness."