Low-cost carrier (LCC) Air Premia decided to operate charter flights with Korean Air instead of its own aircraft on routes to the Americas. Two of the six existing aircraft have grounded due to engine issues, and the new aircraft has not yet received commercial operation approval. Air Premia has faced significant passenger complaints due to frequent schedule changes and cancellations, prompting concerns over its plan to expand routes.
According to the aviation industry on the 3rd, Air Premia announced that it will change the airline operating flights YP111 from Incheon to San Francisco and YP112 from San Francisco to Incheon, scheduled to depart on the 4th, to Korean Air. The flights have been re-designated as KE9025 and KE9026. Passengers who purchased Air Premia tickets must check in at the Korean Air counter and board the changed aircraft.
On the 31st of last month, Air Premia also operated a charter flight with Korean Air on the Incheon to San Francisco route. In December 2023, several charter flights with Korean Air will be deployed on the Incheon to Bangkok route.
It is unusual for an airline to operate charter flights with another airline. The expense of renting an aircraft is considerable. An Air Premia official noted, "Although the loss from operating charter flights on routes to the Americas is significant, we have decided to deploy alternative flights to reduce customer inconvenience. Routes where alternative flights could not be found will unfortunately have to change schedules or cancel altogether."
With two aircraft unable to operate due to maintenance issues, Air Premia's flight schedule has become disrupted. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's aircraft registration status, Air Premia currently operates six B787-9 aircraft on lease, but two have gone into long-term inspections and have stopped operating. A newly acquired B787-9 Dreamliner (Aircraft No. 7) as of the 27th of last month has not yet received commercial operation approval.
Due to the shortage of aircraft, it has become common to notify cancellations shortly before departure. On the 31st of last month, it was announced that the Incheon to Bangkok flight scheduled for the next day and the Incheon to Da Nang flight scheduled for two days later had been canceled. On the 1st of this month, it was reported that the Incheon to Da Nang route scheduled to depart in two days was canceled.
Due to the lack of aircraft, existing flight schedules change frequently, and starting next month, Air Premia plans to add one weekly flight on the Incheon to San Francisco route and establish a nighttime Incheon to Los Angeles route. Some passengers express concerns that the increase in routes could lead to more frequent delays and cancellations than currently experienced.
Air Premia stated, "We expect to receive commercial operation approval for Aircraft No. 7 by mid this month. Due to challenges in obtaining aircraft parts because of the Russia-Ukraine war and a Boeing strike, it is difficult, but we can repair and deploy the two aircraft that are currently down. We expect that by May, operations will be normalized."