Incheon–Jeju Route Makes a Smooth Landing with 92% Satisfaction and an 88% Load Factor

[Financial News] The Incheon–Jeju “international-flight-linked domestic route,” established as part of the government’s policy to strengthen the air transport network, has successfully taken hold in the market, recording a load factor close to 90% from the early days of operation. Foreign passengers typically account for around 10% of domestic-route users, but their share on this route exceeded 30%. The results are being viewed as evidence of its potential as a transit hub connecting regional destinations with overseas locations. Incheon International Airport Corporation, the route operator, has begun reviewing follow-up measures, including support for airlines, in response to strong passenger demand for more frequent service.
Incheon International Airport Corporation said on the 9th that a survey of passengers who used the Incheon–Jeju route, launched in May and operated by Jeju Air twice a week, found that both the intention to reuse the service and overall satisfaction among Korean nationals residing in Jeju Province exceeded 92%.
The survey was conducted among 1,626 domestic and international passengers who used the route over three months, from May 16 to August 7. The Incheon–Jeju route was established to improve access to regional destinations for foreign tourists entering through Incheon International Airport and, conversely, to make it easier for passengers from regional areas to use international flights.
The cumulative average load factor during the period was 88.5%—83.6% for departures from Incheon and 93.3% for departures from Jeju Province—exceeding initial expectations. The route’s role as a bridge between regional destinations and overseas locations was particularly clear in the figures. According to the survey, 35.6% of foreign passengers who traveled from Incheon to Jeju Province had arrived at Incheon International Airport from overseas before continuing to Jeju Province. Of these, 51.5% later traveled via Incheon to their final destinations.
On the Jeju Province–Incheon route, 86.3% of Korean nationals residing in Jeju Province said they boarded the flight to use an international flight at Incheon International Airport. Foreign passengers accounted for more than 30% of the route’s users on average, far exceeding the figure for typical domestic routes. By passengers’ countries or regions of origin, China accounted for 33.7%, the Americas 18.3%, and Japan 15.4%.
However, the twice-weekly schedule—on Mondays and Fridays—was identified as a limitation. Respondents, regardless of whether they were domestic or foreign passengers, selected “increasing the number of flights” as the most urgent improvement. Among Korean nationals residing in Jeju Province who used the Jeju Province–Incheon route, 73.5% called for more frequent service.
Kim Beom-ho, acting president of Incheon International Airport Corporation, said, “This survey confirmed the Incheon–Jeju route’s strong demand potential. We will work with the government and airlines to actively review additional support measures for expanding operations on the route and launching new domestic routes, thereby supporting the goal of attracting 30 million foreign tourists.”
[email protected] Kim Dong-ho Reporter