"Increase in Tourists After Air Premia Starts Flights to New York"

4.9% Increase Compared to Pre-COVID-19 Levels

Hybrid airline Air Premia announced on the 11th that the number of passengers has increased compared to before COVID-19 since launching the New York route. According to data from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's Aviation Information Portal, the number of passengers on the national carrier for this route from May to October this year was 445,925. This is a 4.9% increase compared to 425,207 passengers during the same period in 2019, before COVID-19. On the other hand, the number of international passengers on national carriers from May to October this year was 24,763,695, a 17.9% decrease compared to 30,145,991 during the same period in 2019.

Since launching the Incheon-New York route in May, Air Premia supplied 57,165 seats and carried 51,539 passengers as of the end of October, recording a 90.2% load factor. The company is the first airline other than Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, and foreign carriers to operate the New York route (Newark Liberty International Airport).

Looking at detailed boarding statistics, female passengers accounted for 56.4%, and male passengers 43.6%. By age group, those in their 20s were the largest at 20.3%, followed by those aged 60 and over at 20.1%, and those in their 30s at 17.3%.

Due to the route’s characteristics with many local Korean residents frequently visiting family and acquaintances, many New York locals also used Air Premia. Round-trip passengers departing from New York accounted for 48.7%, while passengers departing from Korea accounted for 51.3%. Foreign passengers made up 36.7% of the total passengers, with 37% of passengers on the inbound route (New York→Incheon) being foreigners.

Air Premia is the only national carrier using Newark Liberty International Airport to operate the Incheon-New York route four times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday). This airport offers easier access to New York Manhattan compared to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK Airport).

Meanwhile, the company is offering a 5% immediate discount promotion code for airfares on flights departing from Korea to New York and LA, valid for travel from February to March next year, from the 11th to the 15th.