Korea's three Hanjin budget carriers to merge into 58-plane airline by 2027
What's the deal? Jin AirDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, Air SeoulDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → and Air Busan — the three budget carriers under HanjinDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → — will merge into a single airline under the Jin Air name on 17 March 2027. The boards approved and signed the merger agreement in August 2026. Jin Air will absorb Air Busan's and Air Seoul's assets, liabilities, employees and legal status.
The terms. The merger ratio is one Jin Air share for every 0.29 Air Busan shares and 0.75 Air Seoul shares. Shareholder ratification is planned for December 2026, followed by regulatory approval.
Why now? The three-carrier deal follows the planned 17 December 2026 merger of Korean AirDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → and Asiana AirlinesDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, the respective parents of Jin Air and of Air Busan and Air Seoul.
What it means. Combining routes, fleets and resources will create South Korea's largest low-cost carrier by fleet size, with 58 aircraft. Jin Air must secure an Air Operator Certificate before operating as one carrier and aims to pass a safety inspection by South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport before launch.
The signal. The tie-up marks consolidation in Korea's low-cost-carrier market as the country's airline groups combine their operations.
Read more: The Korea Herald
Image credit: byeangel
