South Korean startup airline Air Premia has received its very first aircraft.
The airline’s brand new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, registered as HL8387, landed in Seoul on April 2nd after its delivery flight from Everett, Washington. The aircraft is leased from Air Lease Corporation (ALC). Air Premia will take delivery of two additional 787s through the leasing agreement that was signed in 2019. Furthermore, the new carrier announced a firm order with Boeing for another five 787s in the same year.
Air Premia obtained its Air Carrier License in March 2019 and had planned to start operations in September 2020 from its base at Seoul Incheon International Airport. However, the start was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The airline expects to receive its Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) soon.
According to Air Premia, the focus of its business strategy will be on medium- and long-haul services. All flights will be operated by the Boeing 787-9 jets. The carrier plans to launch with medium-haul services such as routes to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. Potential future long-haul destinations include Los Angeles, Honolulu and Vancouver.
Nick Wenzel founded International Flight Network in 2016. He is the Social Media Manager and an Editor for IFN.news.