Annual Average Growth of 57% Until COVID-19
"Contributing to the Popularization of Overseas Travel"
Jeju Air's cumulative international passengers have nearly reached 45 million as it marks the 15th anniversary of its international flight service on the 20th. It is evaluated that the airline has led the popularization of air travel with an average annual passenger growth rate of over 56.6% before COVID-19.
Jeju Air announced on the 18th that the cumulative number of international passengers from its first year of international service in 2009 until last year reached 44.92 million.
Starting with the Incheon-Osaka route operating seven times a week on March 20, 2009, the airline transported 150,000 passengers that year and surpassed 1 million passengers for the first time in 2012. By 2019, the number rose to 8.36 million, reflecting an average annual increase of 56.6%. Due to the impact of COVID-19, the number dropped to 50,000 in 2021 but recovered to 7.36 million last year.
The launch of international flights became a growth catalyst for the entire industry. From 2004 to 2008, before Jeju Air's international service, the average annual growth rate of international passengers for Korean carriers was about 5.6%. However, after Jeju Air began international flights, the average annual growth rate nearly doubled to 10.6%. In 2010, the year following Jeju Air's international launch, the total number of international travelers increased by 21.1% compared to the previous year.
Jeju Air self-assessed that it contributed to the popularization of air travel over the past 15 years. A Jeju Air official explained, "We made Jeju Island, which once felt distant, accessible like a picnic destination, and more travelers started taking short and frequent overseas trips using annual leave, weekends, or holidays, even without long vacations."
Earlier, a survey conducted by Jeju Air through its social media at the end of last year showed that 58% of respondents planned to travel abroad more than twice this year. Preferred travel destinations were short- and medium-haul routes such as Japan and Southeast Asia.
Jeju Air showed particular strength in its Japan routes. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's Aviation Information Portal, last year Jeju Air transported 3,578,068 passengers on Japan routes out of a total of 17,919,895, capturing a 20% market share. It ranked first among Korean carriers and also led all airlines operating Korea-Japan routes.
A Jeju Air official said, "We will continue to quickly identify and reflect the diverse demands of consumers so that from the moment travel is planned until it concludes, passengers can create joyful memories with Jeju Air."
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