Low-cost carrier (LCC) JIN AIR held a 17th anniversary celebration. At the event, it also presented its vision as a 'Integrated LCC' through global network expansion and advanced fleet enhancement.
At the 17th anniversary celebration held at JIN AIR's headquarters in Gangseo District, Seoul, CEO Park Byeong-ryul noted, "Safe operation is the foundation of our existence and our top priority," and added, "The growth of the company over the past 17 years amid numerous challenges and market changes is all thanks to the dedicated efforts of all employees."
Founded in January 2008, JIN AIR operates a fleet of 31 as of the end of last year, serving 60 domestic and international routes. Last year, it surpassed the annual passenger count of 11 million for the first time in its history, achieving the highest level of operating profit among LCCs.
CEO Park mentioned the Integrated LCC, saying, "In addition to global network expansion and advanced fleet enhancement, all employees will focus their capabilities on achieving successful integration to become an airline that is not just recognized but also loved and respected."
This appears to be a statement made with the launch of the integrated JIN AIR in mind. Korean Air plans to merge JIN AIR, AIR BUSAN, and AIR SEOUL, which are subsidiaries of both companies following the merger with Asiana Airlines. Once the integrated JIN AIR is launched, it will become the number one LCC in the country with 58 aircraft, widening the gap with the second place, Jeju Air (41 aircraft).
Meanwhile, JIN AIR, as a member of Hanjin Group, the only transport-specialized group in Korea, shares maintenance capabilities with its parent company, Korean Air. It was the first among domestic LCCs to receive the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification for eight consecutive times.