Sum Air, 1st Korean airline to focus on underserved areas, to launch next year

Sum Air’s first ATR 72-600 is seen at ATR’s hangar in Toulouse, France, in this undated photo. Courtesy of Sum Air

Sum Air, Korea’s first airline dedicated to connecting islands and remote regions, will receive its first aircraft from its manufacturer in France later this month.

The aircraft, an ATR 72-600, is the latest 72-seat turboprop model produced by Toulouse-based ATR. It is scheduled to depart the French city on Dec. 31 and make stopovers in Turkey, Uzbekistan and China before arriving at Gimpo International Airport on Jan. 2.

Sum Air previously signed a purchase agreement with ATR for eight aircraft. The deal comes as the airline prepares to launch new domestic routes next year, including service between Gimpo and Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province, in March and between Gimpo and Ulsan in May. The carrier plans to deploy the small-sized aircraft to expand air connectivity to regional destinations across the country.

The ATR 72-600 — the first ATR model to be introduced in Korea — is designed to operate on runways that are shorter than those at major airports, according to Sum Air. The aircraft can take off from and land on runways as short as 1,200 meters, compared with the 2,800 to 3,000 meters typically required for planes at international airports. This capability makes it well-suited for smaller airports on islands and in mountainous regions.

An image featuring Sum Air's logo / Courtesy of Sum Air

In 2022, ATR tested the aircraft’s environmental performance by operating it on 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel, successfully demonstrating its eco-friendliness. Since its introduction, the turboprop aircraft has not recorded any operational accidents involving bird strikes or engine failure, Sum Air said.

Sum Air’s logo, which juxtaposes an island and a triangle, has received recognition at the Good Design Korea 2023 awards and the Asia Design Prize 2024.

“Our symbol reflects our vision of enhancing regional mobility by connecting islands and the mainland and offering a new mobility experience,” said Choi Yong-suk, president of Sum Air. “With the ATR 72-600, we aim to improve transportation access in underserved regions and become a leading airline connecting communities nationwide.”