By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter
Eastar Jet, a low-cost carrier that will launch services Wednesday, said it aims to open a ``true budget travel market'' here by cutting costs to the lowest level.
Officials of the carrier, based in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province, said during a media briefing in Seoul, Monday, that Eastar Jet will command a competitive edge over other existing rivals as it has adopted efficient management and operational systems.
The airline will operate eight daily flights between Seoul and Jeju starting Wednesday with a 131-seat B737-600NG aircraft. It will adopt two more planes this month for the Gunsan-Jeju and Cheongju-Jeju routes.
As part of the launch, Eastar Jet will provide a deal on 10 percent of seats at 19,900 won, excluding tax and fuel surcharge, on a first-come-first-served basis. It plans to continue offering the special price for a certain number of seats, with the number being flexible according to the day and season.
The B737 aircraft is one of the newest types of aircraft, which consumes about 15 percent less fuel than similar-sized planes, the carrier said. Eastar Jet also outsources maintenance to SR Technics, meaning the airline has a maintenance service available 24 hours a day.
``We can make huge savings through the fuel-efficient plane and the outsourcing of maintenance. Our staff work across various positions, which is also a way to cut labor costs. Through such measures, we will be able to provide low fares and bring true budget air travel (to people),'' Eastar Jet President Yang Hae-gu said.
The carrier plans to operate services to Japan, China, Vietnam and the Philippines in the first quarter of next year. ``With open skies forecast in 2010 between Korea, China and Japan, we aim to become the best low-cost carrier in Northeast Asia,'' Lee Sang-jik, chairman and CEO, said.