Last month, the average number of passengers per flight on domestic low-cost carriers (LCC) decreased by about 14% compared to the same period last year. In contrast, full-service carriers (FSC) saw a significant increase in the average number of passengers per flight.
Industry analysts suggest that concerns about LCCs have grown due to the Jeju Air plane accident that occurred at Muan International Airport in Jeollanam-do at the end of last year, resulting in FSC benefiting from a rebound effect. However, there are also forecasts that this trend may not continue for long, as there is little difference in safety between LCCs and FSCs.
According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on the 7th, the total number of international passengers on domestic LCCs (Aero K Airlines, AIR BUSAN, AIR SEOUL, Air Premia, Eastar Jet, Jeju Air, JIN AIR, T'way Air) last month was 2,593,821, which is a 2% decrease compared to the same period last year. Last month, the eight LCCs operated 16,546 international flights, 13% more than the previous year, with an average of about 156 passengers per flight, a decrease of about 14% compared to last year's average of 181 passengers.
By airline, Jeju Air saw a significant decrease in passenger numbers. The number of international passengers for Jeju Air last month was 606,313, representing a 19% decline compared to the same period last year. Jeju Air operated 4,433 international flights, a 6% decrease from the previous year.
Both Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, classified as FSCs, reported increases in international passenger numbers as well as passengers per flight last month. Domestic FSCs operated a total of 26,017 international flights last month, recording 2,887,430 passengers, increases of 4% and 19%, respectively, compared to last year. With a significant rise in passenger numbers relative to flights operated, the average passenger number per flight increased by 7% to 195.
Industry analysts believe that demand for FSCs has increased due to the aftermath of the Jeju Air incident. However, there are expectations that this trend will not last long. A former pilot noted, "Our country has a high standard of aviation safety recognized worldwide, and airlines must meet these standards. Both LCCs and FSCs operate the same aircraft types, with no significant age difference. The difference between FSCs and LCCs is only in service."
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has launched the "Air Safety Innovation Commission" in response to a series of aviation incidents, including the Dec. 29 Jeju Air plane accident and the AIR BUSAN plane fire at Gimhae International Airport. The commission is expected to conduct on-site inspections of both airlines and airports to create improvement measures for the overall aviation safety system, which will be announced in April.