Incheon Airport Corporation, Jeju Air Cargo Route Launch..."First Domestic LCC Cargo Aircraft Attraction" (Comprehensive)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Hyun-seok] Incheon International Airport Corporation announced that Jeju Air has become the first domestic low-cost carrier (LCC) to launch cargo routes at Incheon Airport.

According to Incheon International Airport Corporation on the 21st, a ceremony for the "Jeju Air Cargo Aircraft No. 1 New Route Launch" was held at the Incheon Airport apron (aircraft movement area) at 3 p.m. the previous day, attended by Lee Sang-yong, Head of Logistics at Incheon Airport Corporation, Jeju Air CEO Kim Lee-bae, and related officials. Jeju Air will operate cargo routes six times a week to China (Yantai), six times a week to Vietnam (Hanoi), and three times a week to Japan (Narita).

The corporation has been establishing continuous cooperative relationships with specialized airlines through measures such as ▲incentive systems for new cargo route launches and ▲joint marketing efforts to increase cargo throughput at Incheon Airport by expanding cargo routes. The new cargo route launch by Jeju Air at Incheon Airport is one of the results of these efforts.

Until now, low-cost carriers mainly transported cargo through belly cargo, resulting in limited cargo volume and restricted increases in cargo capacity. However, with the introduction of Jeju Air’s dedicated cargo aircraft, approximately 17,000 tons of new cargo volume is expected to be generated annually, and the Incheon Airport cargo network is also expected to expand.

The corporation plans to expand the Incheon Airport cargo network through continuous cooperation with airlines specialized in cargo transportation, starting with Jeju Air, and by developing new incentives. Additionally, by timely expanding logistics infrastructure such as the development of the 3rd Airport Logistics Complex and attracting global distribution centers, Incheon Airport aims to grow into the world’s number one logistics hub airport.

Kim Kyung-wook, President of Incheon International Airport Corporation, said, “We hope that Jeju Air’s first cargo route launch at Incheon Airport will serve as an opportunity to enhance Incheon Airport’s competitiveness in the global air cargo market,” and added, “We will continue to secure Incheon Airport’s logistics competitiveness in the global market based on ongoing cooperation and support with airlines.”

Jeju Air completed the aircraft modification work for the introduction of dedicated cargo aircraft and finalized the first dedicated cargo aircraft on the 9th. After completing the approval procedures with overseas authorities and related agencies for cargo transportation, it officially began cargo operations. This is about four months after announcing the start of full-scale cargo business through the introduction of dedicated cargo aircraft in February.

Jeju Air has completed contracts with cargo operators and operates 15 weekly flights on routes to Japan, China, and Vietnam. The airline plans to gradually increase the number of flights by securing additional contracted companies in the future. The dedicated cargo aircraft introduced by Jeju Air is the B737-800BCF, the same model as the aircraft currently operated by Jeju Air.

By introducing dedicated cargo aircraft of the same model as the passenger aircraft currently in operation, Jeju Air has been able to reduce the costs required for cargo aircraft operation and improve fleet operation efficiency. In addition to increasing cargo transport volume per flight, it can also transport various types and forms of cargo, enabling it to engage in high value-added cargo transportation. A Jeju Air official said, “Starting with the first dedicated cargo flight, we plan to expand the cargo transportation business to diversify our revenue structure,” and added, “Based on Jeju Air’s greatest strength, cost competitiveness, we will further solidify our position as the number one LCC.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.