South Korea has cleared the way for its three Hanjin-owned budget carriers to fold into a single airline. On November 12, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Korea Fair Trade Commission both signed off on combining Jin Air, Air Busan and Air Seoul. Competition regulators saw little to examine: because all three already sit inside the same corporate family, the commission presumed the deal would not reduce competition in any meaningful way. The merger contract itself was signed back on August 21.
The combined carrier is scheduled to launch on March 17, 2027, flying under the Jin Air name. When it does, it will be the largest low-cost airline in Korea. The approval is not unconditional. The ministry wants safety inspections completed, the remaining sign-offs from overseas regulators secured, and monthly reports from the airline, including on how it is treating consumers through the transition.
For travelers outside Seoul, the most interesting detail is geography. Busan’s Gimhae airport is set to become a second hub for the merged airline, which plans to lift its international network from 28 routes to 33 and its weekly international flights from 281 to 339. Hanjin has also said there will be no forced layoffs, and that hiring of cabin crew and engineers will expand rather than shrink as the three operations are stitched together.
The budget merger is the second half of a much bigger consolidation. Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, the parents of these carriers, are due to complete their own integration on December 17, 2026. If you hold a booking on Air Busan or Air Seoul for next spring or beyond, expect it to be operated as Jin Air, and keep an eye on any schedule or terminal changes your airline sends as the brands converge.
Sources: MLex, Aviation Wire
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