Airline Industry Targets Peak Season Passenger Demand... Introducing Unique Products

On the 30th, the domestic terminal of Gimpo Airport in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, is bustling with travelers and others. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Dongwoo Lee] The aviation industry is launching various events and discount products to expand passenger demand during the peak season.

According to the industry on the 30th, Jeju Air is expanding the scope of its national veterans discount for the entire month in June, which is the Month of Veterans and Patriots.

The veterans discount will be applied on all 10 domestic routes from the 1st to the 30th of next month based on the boarding date, and reservations can also be made throughout June via the Jeju Air website, mobile app, and web. A 40% discount is provided to national merit awardees of grades 1 to 4 and independence patriots (Aegukjisa), as well as one accompanying guardian, and a 30% discount is offered year-round to emergency national merit awardees for themselves only.

Jeju Air also changed the name of its ‘New Class,’ which was a business seat service limited to some international routes, to ‘Business Light’ and will start domestic service on the Gimpo-Jeju route from the 18th of next month.

The ‘Business Light’ seats feature a change in the seat arrangement from the conventional ‘3-3’ layout centered on the aisle of economy class aircraft to a ‘2-2’ layout, with the seat pitch increased to 42 inches. Special discounted tickets for the Business Light on the Gimpo-Jeju route will be sold until the 6th of next month.

Air Busan has launched an airtel product that combines a no-landing international sightseeing flight with hotel accommodation. This airtel product allows passengers departing from Gimhae Airport on Air Busan’s no-landing international sightseeing flight to stay one night at either the Busan Lotte Hotel or Hotel Nongsim.

For one person, the Busan Lotte Hotel costs 243,000 KRW on weekdays (Sunday to Thursday), 274,000 KRW on Fridays, and 315,000 KRW on Saturdays, while Hotel Nongsim is priced at 200,000 KRW on weekdays (Sunday to Friday) and 210,000 KRW on Saturdays. Air Busan plans to operate a total of three no-landing international sightseeing flights from Gimhae Airport on June 12th, 19th, and 26th.

Jin Air and T’way Air are conducting various promotions for passengers traveling with pets. Jin Air is giving premium pet dog food to all customers traveling with pets on domestic flights departing from Gimpo until the end of this month.

T’way Air has also increased the allowable weight for pets brought into the cabin, including the carrier, to 9 kg and provides a travel kit containing pet toys. Air Busan issues special boarding passes with the pet’s name for domestic flights.

An aviation industry official said, "We are carrying out various promotional activities to expand domestic passenger demand," adding, "Competition for promotions is expected to become more intense ahead of the peak season."