ATR enters Korean Market with Hansung Airlines

South Korean regional low-cost private airline, Hansung Airlines, which took delivery of its first ATR 72-200 aircraft last month, started its operations yesterday. Delivered with a 66-seat configuration, the aircraft will be operated on the domestic network, connecting the cities of Chongju and Cheju, twice a day.

Filippo Bagnato, CEO of ATR, said, “I’m delighted that Hansung Airlines has chosen ATR to start its operations. This is an important milestone for ATR as it will be the first operator of ATR aircraft in South Korea, a market that is expected to have further growth in the regional market.”

Hansung Airlines plans to extend its fleet up to ten aircraft within five years and a second ATR 72-200 aircraft has already been signed for delivery beginning of next year.

Mr Han Woo-Bong, CEO of Hansung Airlines is confident of making a stable profit model in a short period with the ATR 72 aircraft. He said, ”the ATR 72 aircraft benefits from a fuel-efficient technology. We target a niche market by flying to domestic and overseas airports where big airlines do not currently operate. And ATR is the short haul solution for regional airlines.”

Hansung Airlines plans to open routes for Kimpo-Cheju, Kimpo-Pusan and Kwangju-Cheju by the end of this year, and Kimpo-Yangyang next year. The South Korean carrier will also expand its services to overseas cities, operating a route between Chongju and the Japanese City of Fukuoka next year.

Hansung currently has a staff of 45 employees with plans to extend to 100 in the near future.

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