Table of Contents
- Soma Air launches trial operations at Sacheon Airport
- Soma Air plans new routes to Gimpo and Jeju in the first half of '26, expanding to Ulleung
- Hi Air's relaunch and diversification of routes expected
- Sacheon Airport poised to become an aerospace hub
- Conclusion: A signal for the activation of Sacheon Airport
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Soma Air launches trial operations at Sacheon Airport
Soma Air Co., a small airline located in Gyeongsangnam-do, is set to begin trial operations on a route connecting Sacheon and Gimpo in December, aiming for formal new launches in the first half of next year.
This trial operation is not just a simple test but an essential process required by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport for obtaining an Air Operator Certificate (AOC). It is a process to comprehensively verify safety operation capabilities, punctuality, and operational systems in a real route environment.
Currently, Korean Air and Jin Air operate routes to Gimpo and Jeju from Sacheon Airport, so the launch of Soma Air's new route is expected to have a positive impact on local flights.
Soma Air plans new routes to Gimpo and Jeju in the first half of '26, expanding to Ulleung
Soma Air has recently introduced new ATR 72-600 aircraft and has started trial operations. Once this process is completed, the company plans to formally operate on the Sacheon-Gimpo and Sacheon-Jeju routes after obtaining the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) in the first half of next year.
Additionally, with the opening of Ulleung Airport, there are plans to expand the Sacheon-Ulleung route to provide better air accessibility for residents in western Gyeongnam. This movement is interpreted as a tangible result of the new launch agreement signed in April with Gyeongnam Province, Jinju City, Sacheon City, and Korea Airports Corporation.
Through this agreement, the province and local governments are responsible for financial and administrative support and airport promotion, while Soma Air has promised to gradually expand its routes. Such cooperation is expected to provide better air services for local residents.
Hi Air's relaunch and diversification of routes expected
The Gyeongnam Province is currently supporting Hi Air Co., which is undergoing business rehabilitation, to promote its relaunch at Sacheon Airport in the first half of next year.
When Hi Air resumes operations, it is expected that there will be various routes and an increase in flight frequency at Sacheon Airport alongside Soma Air's new routes.
Sacheon Airport poised to become an aerospace hub
At a recent policy discussion held at Sacheon Airport, the need for airport expansion and elevation to international airport status was a key topic. This airport is recognized as an important hub connecting the aerospace industry and southern coast tourism, and opinions gathered suggested that infrastructure improvement and route expansion would form the foundation for regional economic activation and balanced development.
Gyeongnam Province plans to take advantage of Soma Air's new launch to develop Sacheon Airport into a center of national strategy and an aerospace hub airport in cooperation with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, airlines, and local governments.
Conclusion: A signal for the activation of Sacheon Airport
The opening of Soma Air's new routes signifies more than just an expansion of the airline. It broadens the flying rights for the residents and elevates the status of Sacheon Airport while laying a crucial foundation for Gyeongnam to grow into a central city of the aerospace industry.
Gyeongnam Province is putting efforts to develop Sacheon Airport into a future-oriented hub airport by linking aviation, tourism, and the aerospace industry. Such plans are expected to contribute significantly to regional economic activation and industry development.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. What routes is Soma Air trial operating from Sacheon Airport?
Soma Air is currently trial operating a route connecting Sacheon and Gimpo.
Soma Air Co., Ltd. began trial operations on the route connecting Sacheon and Gimpo from December. This trial operation is a necessary procedure for the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) required by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, confirming safety, punctuality, and operational systems in an actual operational environment. The company plans to officially launch the new routes in the first half of next year.
Q. What plans does Soma Air have for future new launches and route expansions?
Soma Air plans to launch routes to Sacheon-Gimpo and Sacheon-Jeju in the first half of next year, and also expand to the Ulleung route.
Soma Air has begun trial operations with a new ATR 72-600 aircraft and is expected to operate on the Sacheon-Gimpo and Sacheon-Jeju routes after obtaining the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) in the first half of next year. Moreover, in line with the opening of Ulleung Airport, there are plans to expand the Sacheon-Ulleung route to improve air accessibility for residents of western Gyeongnam. This initiative is the result of a new launch agreement between Gyeongnam Province, local governments, and the airport corporation, aiming for gradual route expansion.
Q. What support is Gyeongnam Province providing for the activation of Sacheon Airport?
Gyeongnam Province is providing support for Hi Air’s relaunch, cooperation with local governments, financial and administrative support.
Gyeongnam Province is assisting Hi Air, which is undergoing business rehabilitation, in its relaunch at Sacheon Airport in the first half of next year. Additionally, Gyeongnam Province, Jinju City, Sacheon City, and Korea Airports Corporation have signed a new launch agreement with Soma Air to actively promote financial and administrative support and airport promotion. This collaborative system enhances route diversity and flight frequency at Sacheon Airport, promoting regional air transport and economic revitalization.
Q. How is Sacheon Airport developing?
Sacheon Airport is evolving into an aerospace hub and an international airport.
Sacheon Airport is pursuing expansion and elevation to international airport status as an important hub connecting southern coast tourism and the aerospace industry. Recent policy discussions highlighted that infrastructure improvements and route expansions would lay the groundwork for economic activation and balanced development. Based on this, Gyeongnam Province plans to collaborate with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, airlines, and local governments to grow Sacheon Airport into a strategic national center.
Q. How does the launch of new routes by Soma Air impact the local community?
The new routes by Soma Air contribute to expanding flight rights and revitalizing the local economy.
The opening of new routes by Soma Air broadens residents' flying rights, elevates the status of Sacheon Airport, and lays a foundation for Gyeongnam's growth as a central city of the aerospace industry. Gyeongnam Province aims to link aviation, tourism, and the aerospace industry to develop Sacheon Airport into a modern hub, which is expected to significantly contribute to regional economic activation and the advancement of the aviation industry.
