Sum Air Cleans Up Namhae Beach, Expands Local Coexistence Efforts

[Financial News] Sum Air, a regional air mobility company, carried out a beach cleanup and local cultural experience program in Namhae County, South Gyeongsang Province. The company said the initiative was designed to broaden the role of an airline linking the capital region and local areas beyond transportation, extending it to environmental protection and tourism promotion.
According to the industry on the 26th, Sum Air held the local coexistence program on the 25th with 20 employees at the Daraengi Jiget-gil Trail in Namhae County. Sponsored by the Namhae Foundation for Tourism and Culture, the event was organized as a same-day trip using Sum Air's Gimpo-Sacheon route.
After arriving in Sacheon on a morning flight, Sum Air employees visited the Daraengi Jiget-gil Trail, Course 11 of the Namhae Bbare-gil trail. They collected plastic, Styrofoam, discarded fishing gear and household waste along the coast, helping preserve Namhae's natural environment.
The Daraengi Jiget-gil Trail is one of Namhae's signature walking routes, offering views of both Gacheon Daraengi Village and the coastal scenery. Because it attracts many visitors, the area also requires ongoing management to reduce shoreline litter and maintain its natural landscape.
Sum Air designed the program not as a simple volunteer activity, but as an on-site experience to help employees better understand the region. After the cleanup, they visited major attractions such as German Village and examined how Namhae's cultural assets have developed into tourism content. They also exchanged views on ways to connect local characteristics with air services.
In particular, the company confirmed firsthand that its Gimpo-Sacheon route, which departs in the morning and returns in the evening, can connect the capital region and western South Gyeongsang Province within a single day. It said shorter flight times can improve access to Namhae tourism and help attract demand not only for longer stays, but also for short, high-intensity trips.
Regional air routes are important not only for airport-to-airport travel, but also for linking nearby cities and tourist destinations. If travel itineraries connecting Sacheon Airport and Namhae become more active, they could generate spillover effects across the broader local tourism industry, including transportation, lodging, restaurants and hands-on experience programs, as well as draw more visitors.
One Sum Air employee who took part in the program said, "It was meaningful to visit Namhae, which has become closer as a same-day destination, and contribute to environmental protection." The employee added, "Seeing the value of our work connecting the capital region and Namhae firsthand also increased my sense of pride."
A Sum Air official said, "This became an opportunity for employees to experience Namhae's nature and culture and share the value of local coexistence." The official added, "As a regional air mobility company connecting one region to another, we will continue environmental protection activities and further strengthen local-based services."

[email protected] Kang Gu-gwi Reporter