Early, Jeju Air also opened Nha Trang route. The route was the latest move by the budget carrier to expand into Southeast Asia and Japan not only to absorb the growing travel demand but also to offset sharp declines in passengers from China.
In 2016, the RoK's six budget carriers Jin Air, Jeju Air, Air Busan Co., Air Seoul Inc., Eastar Jet and T'way Air Co. -- transported 56.8% of the passengers on domestic routes and 19.6% of passengers traveling abroad. The figures mark a gain from 54.6% and 14.6%, respectively, from a year earlier, according to the transport ministry.
Last year, passengers on domestic routes jumped 11% on-year to 30.91 million and passengers on international routes climbed 19% to 73 million, government data showed.
By Vien Nhu