Jin Air to Become South Korea's Largest Low-Cost Airline
Three South Korean carriers - Jin Air, Air Busan, and Air Seoul - are merging into a single low-cost airline under the Jin Air name.
South Korea's low-cost airline market is undergoing a major reshuffle. Jin Air, Air Busan, and Air Seoul have agreed to merge into a single carrier under the Jin Air name.
The combined budget airline is due to begin operating on March 17, 2027, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals. The boards of all three airlines approved the deal and signed the merger agreement on Friday, according to the Korea Herald.
When completed, the new Jin Air will have 58 aircraft, bringing together three airlines that currently have distinct networks, operating bases and customer propositions.
The deal completes a domino effect that has been building since Hanjin Group's Korean Air took majority control of Asiana Airlines in December 2024.
The formal merger of the parent companies is due to take effect on December 17.
The merged airline will have a fleet size of 58 aircraft, comprising of the following:
| Aircraft Type | Number |
|---|---|
| Jin Air | 30 |
| Air Busan | 15 |
| Air Seoul | 13 |
The boards of all three airlines approved the deal and signed the merger agreement on Friday, according to the Korea Herald.
The new Jin Air will be backed by the flag carrier, which changes the math for everyone else in a low-cost market that still has too many brands.
The merger is subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals, and is expected to be completed by March 17, 2027.
The combined airline will have a distinct network, operating bases, and customer propositions, making it the country's largest low-cost airline by fleet size.
The deal completes a domino effect that has been building since Hanjin Group's Korean Air took majority control of Asiana Airlines in December 2024, a transaction Skift has covered in detail.
The merged airline will have a significant impact on the low-cost market in South Korea, and is expected to be a major player in the industry.
The new Jin Air will have a fleet of 58 aircraft, with a mix of aircraft types from the three merging airlines.
The merger is a significant development in the low-cost airline market in South Korea, and is expected to have a major impact on the industry.
The combined airline will be a major player in the low-cost market, and is expected to be a significant competitor to other airlines in the country.
The merger is subject to regulatory approvals, and is expected to be completed by March 17, 2027.
The new Jin Air will be backed by the flag carrier, which changes the math for everyone else in a low-cost market that still has too many brands.
The merged airline will have a distinct network, operating bases, and customer propositions, making it the country's largest low-cost airline by fleet size.
The deal completes a domino effect that has been building since Hanjin Group's Korean Air took majority control of Asiana Airlines in December 2024.
The merger is a significant development in the low-cost airline market in South Korea, and is expected to have a major impact on the industry.
The combined airline will be a major player in the low-cost market, and is expected to be a significant competitor to other airlines in the country.
The new Jin Air will have a fleet of 58 aircraft, with a mix of aircraft types from the three merging airlines.
The merger is subject to regulatory approvals, and is expected to be completed by March 17, 2027.
The boards of all three airlines approved the deal and signed the merger agreement on Friday, according to the Korea Herald.
