By Yun Suh-young

Jin Air, a low-cost carrier of Korean Air, said Monday it has flown more than 1 million passengers since its launch in June 2008.

The budget airline started international flight services in 2009.

The Incheon-Bangkok route has been a major factor in achieving the mark, with 250,000 passengers using it so far. These fares account for 25 percent of those from international flights.

Jin Air swung to a surplus for the first time in 2010. It recorded 6.9 billion won in operating profit last year.

In celebration, the airline presented the millionth passenger with two free tickets for its Incheon-Yantai service which will begin on July 5. Yantai is in China’s northeastern province of Shandong. It is the 11th international route offered by Jin Air.

The 10th links Jeju and Taipei and was launched last week.