Three South Korean Low-Cost Carriers Set To Merge Into One Airline

2026-08-28 12:02:02

(MENAFN- Bangladesh Monitor) Dhaka: Three South Korean low-cost carriers under logistics giant Hanjin Group - Jin Air, Air Busan, and Air Seoul - are set to merge into a single airline under the Jin Air name starting March 17, 2027.

The boards of all three carriers approved the merger agreement on August 21, with shareholder votes expected in December, followed by regulatory clearance before the combined airline begins operations.

Once completed, the new Jin Air will become South Korea's largest low-cost carrier by fleet size, operating 58 aircraft under one brand. The airline plans to offer more flights, easier connections, and a unified loyalty program.

The three-way merger mirrors the ongoing consolidation between Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, expected to close on December 17, 2026. Jin Air operates under Korean Air, while Air Busan and Air Seoul both fall under Asiana.

Jin Air currently flies 47 international and 14 domestic routes, with key links between Seoul and Jeju, Tokyo, Osaka, and Bangkok. Air Busan serves 39 routes from its Busan hub, while Air Seoul operates 10 routes out of Incheon.

Under the agreement, Jin Air will absorb the assets, liabilities, employees, and legal status of both Air Busan and Air Seoul.

Securing a single Air Operator Certificate remains the biggest hurdle before the March 2027 launch. Jin Air said it intends to fold the operations of Air Busan and Air Seoul into its existing certificate in phases, pending a safety inspection by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

Behind the scenes, the three carriers have already begun aligning operations, including updating manuals and conducting joint training for pilots and cabin crew.

Passenger-facing benefits such as combined bookings, shared flights, and a single loyalty program are unlikely to materialize until the merger is fully complete closer to 2027.

South Korea's budget aviation market remains competitive, with Jeju Air currently the largest independent low-cost carrier, operating 45 aircraft.

T'way Air has been expanding long-haul services to Europe and Sydney, while Eastar Jet and newcomer Parata Air compete heavily on the Seoul-Jeju route, widely cited as the world's busiest air corridor by passenger volume.

Spread the word More from Airlines and RoutesView All Desktop Ad R2

Latest NewsSee All

Emirates revises Skywards Miles expiry rulesAirlines and Routes21 minutes ago

Three South Korean low-cost carriers set to merge into one airlineAirlines and Routesabout 1 hour ago

UK-backed AVSEC supervisors training concludes at HSIAInstitute/Trainingabout 2 hours ago

EgyptAir, FC Barcelona ink three-season sponsorship dealAirlines and Routesabout 16 hours ago

Air India, Drukair partner to boost India-Bhutan linksAirlines and Routesabout 16 hours ago

Batik Air's premium customers can access“EBL Skylounge” at HSIA, DhakaBanking and Financeabout 16 hours ago

Emirates will operate next-generation A350 to Kuala LumpurAviationabout 17 hours ago

Flash floods, landslides leave hundreds killed, missing in Nepal-ChinaTourismAug 27, 2026

Korea to open Visa Application Center in DhakaVisa and Travel UpdatesAug 26, 2026 Biman flight stranded in Muscat as passenger dies on boardAirlines and RoutesAug 26, 2026

US-Bangla to resume Dhaka–Jashore flights from September 9Airlines and RoutesAug 25, 2026

Renaissance Dhaka introduces signature high tea at GBCHotelsAug 25, 2026

Dhaka Regency, Trust Bank sign deal for year-round buffet offerHotelsAug 25, 2026

Thailand warns of visa cancellations amid tourist misconductVisa and Travel UpdatesAug 25, 2026

Saudia rolls out up to 50% discount on international flightsAirlines and RoutesAug 25, 2026

Emirates leads global airlines in international capacity for AugustAirlines and RoutesAug 25, 2026

Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to proceed as scheduled in DecemberEvents & ForumsAug 24, 2026

FedEx begins nonstop 777 service between Guangzhou, SydneyCargo and LogisticsAug 24, 2026

Emirates resumes daily Dubai-Kuwait flightsAirlines and RoutesAug 24, 2026

Bangladesh signs MoU to boost cultural tourismCultural JourneysAug 24, 2026

Syed M Omar Tayub promoted to Prime Bank's AMDBanking and FinanceAug 24, 2026

MTB supports ICECA 2026 as silver sponsorBanking and FinanceAug 24, 2026

DXB T3 rolls out complimentary treats, live music for August travelersAirports and InfrastructureAug 24, 2026

Laptop battery fire on American Airlines flight injures fourAirlines and RoutesAug 24, 2026

IndiGo seeks Philippine permit for Manila, Cebu flightsAirlines and RoutesAug 24, 2026

Oman Air, SalamAir name new chief executivesAirlines and RoutesAug 23, 2026

Thai Airways eyes March 2027 relaunch of Bangkok-Auckland flightsAirlines and RoutesAug 23, 2026

ATC Basic Course No. 36 starts at Civil Aviation AcademyInstitute/TrainingAug 23, 2026

New minister pledges fresh push for aviation, tourism sectorsTourismAug 23, 2026

Cox's Bazar Airport set for international operations by October: MoCAT MinisterAirports and InfrastructureAug 23, 2026

Hong Kong records 4.5m visitor arrivals in JulyTourismAug 22, 2026

Pakistan approves 15-year sales tax exemption for PIA, other carriersAirlines and RoutesAug 22, 2026

Study finds cabin crew, pilots face highest risk of radiation-linked cancerAviationAug 22, 2026

Emirates offers simulated air travel experience for people with special needs across UK airportsAviationAug 22, 2026

Prime Bank holds youth financial literacy seminar at Khulna UniversityBrand StoriesAug 22, 2026

Bangladesh envoy proposes annual cultural exchange with NepalTourismAug 22, 2026

Court strikes down US visa suspension covering Bangladesh, 74 other nationsNRB ConnectAug 22, 2026

Standard Chartered cardholders to get dedicated checkout at UnimartLife & StyleAug 22, 2026

Millat elevated as Minister as govt reshuffles cabinetAviationAug 21, 2026

Charter plane crash near remote Alaska radar site kills all 8 aboardAviationAug 21, 2026

InterContinental Dhaka brings back 'Meats & Beats Unlimited'HotelsAug 21, 2026

CAAB holds 2nd CATRAC meeting to boost aviation securityAirports and InfrastructureAug 20, 2026

EBL partners with icddr,b for employee health benefitsBanking and FinanceAug 20, 2026 Events & ForumsAug 20, 2026

Malaysia steps up plans to become Asia-Pacific aviation hubAviationAug 20, 2026

Russia's SMR-based floating nuclear power plant set for scheduled refuelingNRB ConnectAug 20, 2026

Bangladesh delegation explores AirAsia's low-cost aviation model in Kuala LumpurAviation Business Aug 20, 2026

Bangladesh introduces online system for visa-on-arrival applicationsVisa and Travel UpdatesAug 20, 2026

Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka marks 45 years with special dining programHotelsAug 20, 2026

Grand Sylhet Hotel appoints Shakul Pant as new General ManagerHotelsAug 20, 2026 Desktop Ad R4

Most PopularSee All