Concerns about the safety of low-cost carriers (LCC) have been raised following the Jeju Air disaster, but the number of international passengers using other LCCs has increased compared to a year ago. Observers say that looking at the total number of users and performance for at least the first quarter (January to March) will help determine the actual impact of the Jeju Air accident on the overall LCC industry.
According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on the 10th, the number of passengers departing overseas via domestic LCCs from December 29 of last year, the day of the Jeju Air passenger plane accident, to January 3 totaled 277,806. This represents an increase of 11.7% compared to the same period a year ago. The total number of international LCC users, combining departures and arrivals during the same period, was 557,743, up 13.9%. The statistics only reflect the figures from up to seven days prior to the reference date.
Among LCCs, the number of international departing passengers for Eastar Jet reached 24,947, showing the highest growth rate (127.3%) compared to the previous year. Aero K Airlines recorded a second-highest growth rate (116.2%) with 10,728 departing passengers during the same period. Both airlines increased their international flight offerings roughly two-fold compared to the previous year.
Other LCCs that did not significantly alter their flight schedules also saw an increase in international departing passengers. During the same period, Air Busan had 39,827 international departures, a 20.6% increase, while Jin Air had 62,457, marking a 14.3% increase. T'way Air also saw 58,247 passengers depart during the same period, up 9.6%. The average international flight operations for these three airlines increased by 13.4% during that time.
Air Seoul reduced its international flight operations by 2.5% during the period, yet saw a 3.1% increase in departing passengers to 14,903. For LCC Air Premia, which operates medium- and long-distance routes, the number of international departing passengers was 6,077, a decrease of 0.9%.
On the other hand, it appears that Jeju Air experienced a significant drop in users. From December 29 to January 3, the number of international departing passengers for Jeju Air was 49,839, a decrease of 15.3% compared to the same period last year. Following the accident, Jeju Air decided to cut its international flight services by 1,070 until March 29, the last day of the winter flight schedule, which appears to be a decision made in consideration of the decrease in users.
In the aviation industry, there are observations that the actual impact of the Jeju Air accident on the aviation sector can only be assessed by looking at the total figures for the first quarter of this year. A source in the aviation industry noted, 'It is likely that the passenger numbers through early January include users who could not cancel their planned trips, and it seems that travel demand has somewhat declined since the accident, so the full passenger numbers for the first quarter will need to be analyzed to evaluate the actual impact.'