Eastar Jet Co. said on the 17th it will take delivery of a B737-8 model built earlier this month as its 20th aircraft and begin operations.
A ceremony marking the introduction was held on the 16th at Gimpo International Airport, attended by executives and employees including Jo Jung-seok, Eastar Jet Co.'s CEO.
After completing an aircraft safety inspection, the introduced jet is scheduled to be deployed on routes such as Gimpo-Jeju from the Christmas period, when air travel demand peaks.
Eastar Jet Co. also said that with this delivery, it will operate 10 of its 20 aircraft—half of its fleet—as new B737-8 jets.
Eastar Jet Co.'s B737-8 model has 189 seats and features 20% improved fuel efficiency and 50% reduced in-cabin engine noise compared with previous models.
An Eastar Jet Co. official said, "We will continue fleet modernization by introducing new models next year as well, while further strengthening cost reduction and operational stability."