Air Busan Expands Significantly at Incheon Airport... "International Routes Increased to 5"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Hyun-seok] Air Busan announced on the 19th that it will launch five regular flights from Incheon Airport, marking the start of its full-scale entry into the Seoul metropolitan area market and securing post-COVID-19 travel demand.

Air Busan recently received approval from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to operate regular flights departing from Incheon to ▲Osaka (once weekly) ▲Narita (Tokyo/once weekly) ▲Nha Trang (once weekly) ▲Kota Kinabalu (once weekly) ▲Guam (twice weekly). The new routes will commence next month.

This is the first time since its establishment that Air Busan is launching five new routes simultaneously from Incheon Airport, signaling a full-scale push into the Seoul metropolitan area. In particular, the new routes target major Japanese cities with steady business and study-abroad demand, as well as Southeast Asia and Oceania routes where foreign entry restrictions have been eased, so demand is expected to increase rapidly.

Air Busan began operations at Incheon Airport in November 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, with its first route to Ningbo. It has since operated flights from Incheon to five cities in three countries, including Shenzhen, Chengdu, Kaohsiung, and Cebu. Despite being a latecomer, it recorded a commendable average load factor exceeding 80%, leveraging next-generation aircraft A321neo, comfortable service, punctuality, and excellent safety performance.

Following the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s policy to increase regular flights at Incheon Airport, Air Busan plans to accelerate the launch and expansion of new routes at Incheon. By focusing on tourist destinations with high travel demand and simple entry procedures, and flexibly operating charter flights in cooperation with travel agencies, the airline aims to gain an advantage in the recovery phase of Incheon Airport’s international flights. It has already confirmed exclusive charter flights from Incheon to Da Nang, Vietnam, during the summer peak season and Chuseok holidays in collaboration with Hana Tour.

Air Busan is also strengthening its fleet competitiveness through the introduction of new aircraft. This year, it plans to retire its existing A321 aircraft and add two more next-generation A321neo aircraft. The A321neo can fly approximately 1,000 km farther than the main aircraft of other low-cost carriers, enabling operation of medium-haul routes such as Singapore and Bali. As a new aircraft, it offers passengers a more comfortable cabin environment. Air Busan plans to continuously introduce next-generation aircraft to secure medium-haul routes departing from Incheon.

Air Busan CEO Ahn Byung-seok said, "We are honored to now provide Air Busan’s unique comfortable cabin environment and excellent service at Incheon Airport," adding, "While maintaining our strengths in Busan, we will maximize corporate value by targeting the high-demand Seoul metropolitan area with new routes."