Jeju Air Cuts More Flights in Wake of Crash

More Routes Cut by Jeju Air

Jeju Air will reduce its flight schedules by 600 this quarter, bringing the total number of cancellations to nearly 1,900 in the year’s first three months. The latest flight cuts, announced on January 7, are a response to the tragic crash of a B737-800 at Muan Airport on December 29, which resulted in the loss of 179 lives.

The recent reductions involve approximately 200 more flights from Muan, including suspending services on the Muan-Clinton, OK route until March 30, 2025. Additionally, flights between Busan and Kaohsiung have been suspended until March 29. Jeju Air officials have indicated that the total number of flight cuts is still being finalized, with an announcement expected later this week. This will likely include some flights to and from Seoul, where the airline operates from Seoul Incheon and Seoul Gimpo airports.

“We have decided on these additional reductions to enhance safety and alleviate the difficulties faced by our employees,” a spokesperson told Korean news outlets this week.

The low-cost carrier previously announced removing 1,116 flights from its schedules this quarter, including 838 flights on four domestic routes and 278 flights on five international routes. All of these flights either arrived in or left Muan. Jeju Air stated that these reductions were made to focus on operational safety.

The airline’s parent company, AK Holdings, also announced that it would no longer issue corporate bonds as planned and requested a credit agency to cancel the related rating. The company had received a rating for its 6- and 7-series senior unsecured bonds but withdrew the public offering of KRW 18 billion (USD 12.3 million) following the recent crash. A spokesperson said the company was “prepared to issue corporate bonds to secure funds stably and efficiently,” but determined that “now is not the right time.”

In a related development, South Korea’s transport minister, Park Sang-woo, has expressed his intention to resign following the crash, stating,

“I feel a heavy responsibility for this disaster.”

The ministry is under scrutiny for its oversight of airport navigational aids.

The B737-800 collided with a concrete barrier at the end of the runway, housing localizer antennas. The ministry noted that while the barriers are positioned by regulations, using concrete barriers close to the runway is not ideal. Park has not specified when he will resign, only stating that he will choose the appropriate time.

Muan Airport will remain closed until at least January 14.