Hybrid service carrier Air Premia launched its Los Angeles route on October 29, 2022, and has since achieved a remarkable average boarding rate of 85.7%. Marking the first anniversary of Air Premia’s LA service — a milestone that has drawn significant interest from Korean Americans in Southern California — CEO Myungsub Yoo reflects on this journey and outlines plans in an exclusive interview.
– What does the first anniversary of the LA flight service mean to you, and how do you feel about it?
“The inauguration of Air Premia’s LA route marked a momentous occasion in Korean aviation history, being the first instance of a national flagship airline initiating a new route in 31 years. Despite the fierce competition from both Korean and international carriers, we have maintained a high occupancy rate over the past year. This affirms the success of our strategy to offer enhanced comfort at reasonable prices. Our gratitude extends to the Korean American community in Los Angeles for their unwavering support and encouragement.”
– How does Air Premia differentiate itself from other airlines, and what are your strengths?
“Our unique selling points and strengths lie in our spacious seating designed for long-haul travel, the comfortability of new airplanes, and reasonable pricing. With 35-inch seat spacing, which is the most generous amongst airlines, and standard amenities like meals and in-flight entertainment, we appeal to customers seeking value for money. Additionally, our premium seats, which offer 42 inches of space, have been so well-received that they often sell out quickly unless booked in advance. We are confident that we’ve become a viable new option for flights between Korea and the United States, particularly as positive word of mouth continues to spread.”
– Can you elaborate on the expansion of the LA route and potential services to other cities?
“Initially, our service operated five days a week. Since May of this year, we’ve increased this to six days a week and are planning for daily or even more frequent flights in the first half of the next year. The introduction of brand-new aircraft next year will also open the possibility of launching services to other major U.S. cities.”
– What is the current scope of the company and the routes it operates?
“We operate a fleet of five Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. We employ 100 captains and first officers and are in the process of recruiting an additional 40 pilots in anticipation of our fleet expansion next year. Our cabin crew team comprises 280 members. As of November 1, our scheduled routes include Los Angeles, New York, Frankfurt, Tokyo Narita, and Bangkok. Non-scheduled routes feature destinations such as Barcelona, Spain; Dhaka, Bangladesh; and Honolulu, Hawaii, with the latter commencing service four times a week starting next month.”
– What are your plans and goals?
“In the post-pandemic environment, securing new aircraft like the 787 and 350 has been challenging, but we are negotiating with relevant parties to acquire at least two new planes annually. We plan to focus on long-haul routes and increase our presence in major cities across Japan and Southeast Asia to improve flight utilization. Until our fleet grows to at least 15 medium-sized aircraft, we will continue to concentrate on long-haul flights. Depending on the progress of the merger between Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, our fleet expansion next year may exceed our initial projection of two additional planes.”
– What is the potential impact of the Korean Air-Asiana merger on your company?
“With the merger poised to potentially redistribute operating licenses among domestic airlines due to competition concerns, we are proactively preparing to expand our long-haul routes. We view this as a golden opportunity for Air Premia. By increasing our route network, we can enhance our cost efficiency, enabling the maintenance of reasonable pricing that benefits our passengers.”
– Are there any plans for freight operations?
“We are currently conducting a successful cargo operation utilizing the cargo holds of our passenger aircraft, with capacities ranging from 13 to 20 tons per flight. While the introduction of a dedicated cargo plane is under consideration, this plan has been deprioritized due to the recent downturn in cargo rates, fluctuating oil prices, and currency exchange volatility.”
– What message would you like to convey to the Korean community in the United States?
“Our LA service, initiated to offer a comfortable travel experience for all, has reached its first anniversary with the Korean community’s support. In the upcoming year, we will increase the frequency of our flights to exceed daily services and provide more convenient scheduling options. We will continue to listen to our customers, who appreciate that Air Premia’s reasonable pricing allows them to travel with their families. We eagerly anticipate your continued interest and patronage.”
BY NAKI PARK [naki@koreadaily.com]
