Air Busan's Busan-Ulaanbaatar Route Shows 'Upward Trend'... Average Load Factor Approaches 70%

Air Busan's average load factor on the Busan-Ulaanbaatar route in the first half of this year recorded the 70% range, showing a clearer upward trend in performance.

The average load factor on Air Busan's Busan-Ulaanbaatar route in the first half of this year was 72%. According to Air Busan, considering the limited demand compared to the metropolitan area and the supply being only half of that in the first half of 2019, this is regarded as a commendable result.

Looking at the monthly trend, a clear upward trend has been observed since last May. The average load factor, which was in the 60% range until April, rose to the mid-70% range from May, and reached the high 80% range in June and July.

When limited to departures from domestic locations, it approached the low 90% range, which can be considered almost full capacity. The reservation rate for August also maintained the high 80% range as of the end of July.

Air Busan Mongolia promotional image.

Air Busan first launched the Busan-Ulaanbaatar route on June 24, 2016, at a time when other national carriers were operating only the Incheon-Ulaanbaatar route across domestic airports.

At that time, the launch of the route was evaluated as breaking the existing monopoly structure by being the first challenge from a regional airport, greatly contributing to expanding route options for local residents and improving transportation convenience.

Recently, the route has attracted great interest from the MZ generation, increasing the number of passengers traveling for tourism purposes. However, traditionally, the Mongolia route is also heavily used by local students and workers entering Korea, in addition to Korean tourists.

Among passengers who entered Busan from Mongolia using Air Busan in the first half of this year, 52% were Mongolian nationals.

An Air Busan official said, “Despite many uncertainties, Air Busan was the first to launch a regular Busan-Ulaanbaatar flight in 2016 and has maintained the route steadily,” adding, “We have transported a cumulative total of 140,000 passengers up to the first half of this year.”

He continued, “As a Busan-based airline, Air Busan, which has pioneered routes at Gimhae Airport with a sense of mission, is confident that its footsteps will be a solid foundation for the regional aviation industry and a unique competitive strength of Air Busan.”

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