Private planes start to take flight here

By Kim Tae-gyu

People tend to believe that private plane are not a good fit for Korea, a country crowded with about 50 million people in a territory comparable to Indiana of the United States.

However, such a belief may be wrong as a mounting number of Koreans are buying private jets or helicopters ― the registered figure substantially increased over the first decade of the new millennium.

The Ministry of Land, Transport, and Maritime Affairs (MLTMA) said on Thursday that a total of 504 civilian aircraft were registered as of the end of September, up from 268 in 2000.

A total of 220 aircraft, the largest chunk of them at 43.6 percent, were operated by the country’s flagship carriers such as business bellwether Korean Air or runner-up Asiana Airlines.

In comparison, non-for-business aircraft or helicopters held mostly by corporations or educational institutes also amounted to 143 to account for 28.4 percent.

Of note is that there are seven CEO-only jets ― Korean Air and Samsung Electronics hold two planes apiece. LG Electronics, SK Telecom and Hyundai Motor also have one, each.

``In line with the economic growth, the interests of citizens typically move from land and water to the air. It is natural that private aviation attracts people in advanced countries,’’ a Seoul analyst said.

``The country’s small territory might act as a hindrance for the full-fledged advent of the private-plane era. But airplanes continue to evolve to bring fresh models with local relevance. Then, we will eventually see a boom in civilian aircraft.’’

A domestic corporation got wind of this change and put up a flying car as a prize to entice customers.

Lotte Department Store, the perennial industry leader here, said Thursday that it will offer the Terrafugia Transition, a car-aircraft hybrid, as one of the top prizes in a draw.

Visitors to Lotte Department Store can apply for the event once a day throughout this month whether or not they buy anything there. The store plans to pick 31 winners through the draw

The top winner will be able to choose among three prizes: the Transition, a Seoul apartment or a 5.6-kilogram gold statue. Should the winner opt for the Transition, he or she will receive it in 2014.

The carbon-fiber vehicle, which can accommodate one pilot and one passenger, received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration of the U.S. midway through this year.

The wings of the light-sport aircraft can be folded automatically so that pilots can drive it at around 100 kilometers per hour on the highway to keep up with traffic. It is also designed to be parked in an ordinary garage.

국내 민간항공기 10년만에 2배 증가

많은 사람들이 미국 인디애나 주 정도 밖에 안 되는 영토에 5천만에 육박하는 인구를 가진 한국은 민간항공이 적절하지 않다고 지적해왔다. 하지만 새로운 분위기가 감지되고 있다.

30일 국토해양부에 따르면 9월말 현재 정부에 등록된 민간항공기는 총 504대로 10년 전에 비해 2배 가까이 늘어났다. 국내 및 국제운송 사업용 항공기가 220대로 전체 43.6%를 차지했지만 비사업용 항공기나 헬기도 143대에 달했다.

이 가운데 기업용 CEO 전용기는 대한항공과 삼성전자가 각 2대, LG전자와 SK텔레콤, 현대차가 각 1대를 보유한 것으로 나타났다.

업계 관계자는 “대한민국은 국토가 좁아서 민간 항공기가 적당하지 않다는 편견이 있지만 민간항공기도 계속 진화하고 있어서 미래가 어떻게 될지는 두고 보아야 한다”고 지적했다.

미국 테라푸지아가 개발해 지난 7월 미국 연방항공청 경비행기로 승인 받은 ‘트랜지션’을 염두에 두고 하는 지적이다. 한편 롯데백화점은 다음달 경품 추첨을 통해 트랜지션을 1등 경품으로 걸기도 했다.