Kim I-bae, CEO of Jeju Air, "Rebuilding the Foundation for Business Normalization This Year"

18th Anniversary Commemorative Address... Emphasizing Market Leadership in the Post-Corona Era

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunseok Yoo] Jeju Air announced on the 20th that its core tasks for this year are strengthening fleet and financial competitiveness, advancing IT systems, and expanding ESG management, aiming to "rebuild the foundation for business normalization."

CEO Kim I-bae emphasized at the 18th anniversary event held on the afternoon of the 19th, “To achieve the fruits of success like a blue sky after the clouds have cleared, it is still necessary to predict and prepare for the uncertain international situation and economic conditions,” and presented this goal by saying, “Let us firmly establish our position as a market-leading company in the post-COVID era by flawlessly implementing the core tasks.”

The plan is to prepare a sustainable growth strategy through restoring route competitiveness centered on short-distance flights, advancing IT systems?an essential element for safe flight management and customer experience improvement?and internalizing ESG management.

Strengthening fleet competitiveness is also expected to solidify the low-cost structure and, based on this, achieve improvements in financial structure.

CEO Kim said, “By introducing the next-generation new model B737-8 from this year, which improves fuel efficiency, reduces carbon emissions, and extends flight range enabling new route development, we will have a highly competitive fleet,” adding, “Fleet modernization will further strengthen the high-efficiency, low-cost business structure and is expected to significantly improve financial soundness.”

Jeju Air aims to recover sales to pre-COVID-19 levels this year.

They also announced plans to advance and strengthen IT systems for enhancing safety management systems and to increase customer service competitiveness.

In the first half of the year, Jeju Air plans to significantly improve the existing data analysis system to enhance connectivity among various independent company-wide data, thereby strengthening the safety management system in line with the introduction of new aircraft models and improving customer convenience. Additionally, to improve the level of Jeju Air’s products and services from a consumer-centered perspective, they will pursue Consumer-Centered Management (CCM) certification within the year.

CEO Kim repeatedly emphasized that ESG is directly linked to corporate survival and growth, stating, “Based on the ESG management system established since last year, this year we must internalize and practice ESG elements throughout the entire business.”

Meanwhile, Jeju Air’s 18th anniversary celebration was held face-to-face for the first time in three years since COVID-19, under the theme “Blue Sky Again, Thanks to You.” The ceremony, prepared as an occasion to encourage employees who endured and overcame the long tunnel of COVID-19 together, included the CEO’s commemorative speech, viewing of congratulatory videos, and awards for outstanding employees.