Domestic small carrier SUM Air Co. said on the 10th that it received its air operator certificate (AOC) from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. SUM Air Co. plans to begin irregular flights on the Gimpo–Sacheon route starting on the 12th.
SUM Air Co. plans to cut fares by more than 10% compared with the existing carrier operating the same route, so once flights begin, passengers are expected to use the route at lower prices.
SUM Air Co.'s acquisition of the air operator certificate came in about two months, on Jan. 5, shortly after introducing a new aircraft. SUM Air Co. completed 50 one-way trial flights on the Gimpo–Sacheon route on the 19th of last month, and obtained the certificate after preparing electronic manuals and completing additions and revisions to flight crew work schedules at the end of last month.
SUM Air Co.'s irregular service on the Gimpo–Sacheon route will operate round trips twice a day, six days a week. Regular service on the route will begin on the 30th with four daily flights. SUM Air Co. will start selling tickets on its website on the 10th.
If SUM Air Co. operates the route, consumers are expected to use the Gimpo–Sacheon route at lower prices. The route is currently served only by Jin Air, and SUM Air Co. plans to set fares more than 10% lower than Jin Air's.
A SUM Air Co. official said, "The average one-way fare on the route is around 70,000 won, and we plan to offer fares more than 10% lower than the existing carrier's."
SUM Air Co. uses turboprop aircraft (which obtain thrust by turning propellers with an engine), which consume up to more than 45% less fuel than jet aircraft, allowing lower fares than existing low-cost carriers (LCCs) that use jets.
Starting with the Gimpo–Sacheon route, SUM Air Co. plans to gradually push forward with operating the Gimpo–Ulsan route this year. It also aims to launch service to Ulleung, Heuksan, and Baengnyeong airports.
In addition, as President Lee Jae-myung recently instructed the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to review a plan to allow direct travel from Incheon International Airport to domestic airports, the company plans to promote routes linking Incheon International Airport with local domestic airports going forward.
Choi Yong-deok, CEO of SUM Air Co., said, "With the acquisition of the air operator certificate, we are officially launching as a regional air mobility carrier that connects islands and the mainland, schools and hospitals, and workplaces and homes," adding, "By operating short-distance, low-demand routes, we will close gaps in aviation infrastructure."