Jin Air Sets Start Date for Sapporo Service

South Korea’s Jin Air, a low-cost subsidiary of the country’s national carrier Korean Air, is to inaugurate flights between Seoul Incheon and Sapporo this month, 12 weeks later than originally planned. The company had set April 11 as the proposed launch date for the new international service but cancelled the start following the tragic earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan earlier that month.

The proposed schedule was to offer four flights per week, but Jin Air will now operate two flights per week on the route from July 15, potentially ramping up capacity subject to demand. Its parent, Korean Air, already offers two flights per day between Incheon and Sapporo, but Jin Air will be targeting a different market and offering a very different in-flight service to its owner.

An estimated 176,000 O&D passengers travelled on the route in the past year, paying an average fare of around $425 each way. Jin Air will likely offer tickets around half this price accommodating price sensitive travellers and allowing Korean Air to maintain its strong yield.

Schedule:

LJ201 ICN0930 – 1210CTS 738 15
LJ202 CTS1310 – 1620ICN 738 15