"Including Ulleung Island, we will make it possible to travel to and from airports nationwide in one hour."
Island Air, a low-cost carrier (LCC), unveiled its first aircraft (HL5264) on the 15th and shared its ambitions. Island Air was founded in 2022. With small aircraft, it is targeting east-west routes where KTX does not operate or Honam–Gangwon routes, branding itself as "regional air mobility (RAM)." The airline aims to launch service to Ulleung, Heuksan and Baengnyeong airports, which are slated to open.
Chief Executive Choi Yong-deok of Island Air held an induction ceremony for the first aircraft at Gimpo International Airport in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, on this day and said the airline's direction is "regional airline," outlining these ambitions.
Choi said, "There are many airports in Korea where LCCs have not launched service," adding, "Because we aim to serve such places, our business strategy is different from that of existing LCCs." Choi also said that by linking underserved regions, including islands, with Gimpo or Incheon Airport, the airline could help revitalize regional airports.
Island Air is not targeting major domestic routes such as Gimpo–Jeju and Gimpo–Gimhae as destinations. Unlike existing LCCs that build their fleets mainly around sub-200-seat aircraft like the B737 or A320 and focus on major domestic routes or short-haul international routes to boost efficiency and generate revenue, it plans to fly sub-80-seat aircraft into markets where existing airlines have not entered.
Choi explained that this business concept is feasible thanks to Island Air's main airframe, the ATR 72-600. The ATR 72-600 is a turboprop aircraft (an engine-driven propeller aircraft that gains thrust by turning propellers) made by ATR, a joint venture of Airbus and Leonardo S.p.A.
The ATR 72-600 is shorter in length and has a narrower wingspan than the B737 and A320, the mainstays of existing LCCs. Its operating empty weight is also light at 13 tons (t). It has 72 seats, less than half compared with the 180–190 seats on the B737 and A320 that LCCs operate on domestic routes. Its light weight means it needs a shorter runway for takeoffs and landings and consumes less fuel.
ATR Vice President Alexis Vidal said, "The ATR 72-600 consumes more than 45% less fuel than conventional aircraft." Island Air said that while the B737 needs 2.7 tons (t) of fuel to operate the Gimpo–Jeju route, the ATR 72-600 needs only about 650 kilograms. Vidal also said, "Thanks to this, fares for the same distance can be set at three-quarters of conventional aircraft."
Choi said the airline could start service at a more competitive price on the Gimpo–Sacheon route, where other LCCs currently operate at around 200,000 won round trip. Choi added, "For other routes as well, we will set prices that are competitive compared with traveling by other modes such as KTX."
Choi said that even though Hi Air, which launched under a similar model, is undergoing rehabilitation and restructuring after management difficulties, Island Air can deliver results.
Choi said, "When the law was revised in June 2024, the seat limit for aircraft that small air transport operators can fly increased from 50 to 80 or fewer," adding, "Before the legal revision, it was difficult for small airlines to exceed contribution margin. However, Island Air believes it can achieve contribution margin without issues even by operating only inland routes."
Inside the newly introduced aircraft, a 2.57-meter-wide cabin had 18 rows with four folding seats per row. Considering that seat width is about 52 centimeters, the aisle is around 50 centimeters wide. Given that the cabin width of the B737 or A320 is about 3.5 meters, keeping similar seat sizes has narrowed the aisle. The seat pitch (the distance to the seat in front) is about 76 centimeters, similar to the A320 and B737.
Island Air emphasized that despite the ATR 72-600 being a relatively small aircraft, its safety is on par with typical airliners. Choi said, "For aircraft, the crosswind limit (the maximum crosswind an aircraft can withstand during takeoff and landing) is important, and it has 35 knots, the same level as the B737 and A320." Vidal also said, "Worldwide, 1,300 ATR 72 aircraft are operating safely in 100 countries."
Based on these aircraft strengths, Island Air also plans to expand destinations not only within Korea but also to places such as Tsushima in Japan and small cities. Choi said, "Tsushima has a 1,900-meter runway, and jet aircraft (which require runways of 2,000 meters or longer) find it difficult to operate at its airport," adding, "A challenge remains that for international routes, the seat count for small airlines is limited to 50, but we will start with Tsushima and offer flights to various parts of Japan."
Choi said, "We need to secure profitability on international routes to operate essential inland routes," adding that the airline will operate essential inland routes without disruption to help not only tourism but also medical access in domestic regions underserved by air travel. After ongoing proving flights, Island Air plans to obtain an air operator certificate (AOC) and launch its first commercial service on the Gimpo–Sacheon route in the first half of this year.
Afterward, by 2028, when Ulleung Airport opens, the company plans to introduce eight ATR 72-600s and offer service enabling one-hour trips between airports nationwide and Gimpo and Incheon International airports. Choi said the airline will expand Incheon Airport's role as a spoke airport (a feeder airport connected to a hub) and contribute to the revitalization of regional airports and the development of the aviation industry.