Last Updated on 2025 年 5 月 24 日 by 総合編集組
Eastar Jet: A Comprehensive Overview of Its History, Fleet, and Network
Eastar Jet, a prominent player in South Korea’s low-cost carrier (LCC) market, has carved a niche since its inception in 2007. Operating from hubs at Seoul’s Gimpo and Incheon International Airports, with a focus city at Jeju, the airline has grown through strategic operations, a standardized Boeing 737 fleet, and a network spanning 7 countries and 19 destinations as of 2025. This article summarizes Eastar Jet’s 17-year journey, its fleet composition, route network, and service offerings, providing travelers and aviation enthusiasts with a detailed guide to this dynamic airline.
Founding and Early Success
Established on October 26, 2007, Eastar Jet entered the competitive LCC market with a vision to offer affordable air travel. By August 6, 2008, it secured its Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC), showcasing remarkable efficiency. The airline launched its first commercial flight on January 7, 2009, connecting Seoul Gimpo to Jeju, a route central to its revenue due to Jeju’s status as a top Korean tourist destination. Using Boeing 737-700 aircraft, Eastar Jet quickly gained traction. By June 12, 2009, it expanded domestically with the Cheongju-Jeju route, reinforcing its market presence.
International expansion followed swiftly, with the first international flight from Incheon to Kuching, Malaysia, on December 24, 2009. Within a year, by January 6, 2010, Eastar Jet achieved a milestone of 1 million passengers, underscoring its rapid growth and market acceptance. The airline’s early success was driven by its focus on high-demand routes and cost-effective operations, establishing it as a key player in South Korea’s LCC sector.
Navigating the COVID-19 Crisis
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 posed unprecedented challenges. Eastar Jet suspended all flights in March 2020, and its AOC was temporarily revoked by South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport in May 2020. Amid financial strain, Jeju Air proposed acquiring a 51.17% stake for 54.5 billion KRW in March 2020, but the deal collapsed on July 23, 2020, due to economic uncertainties.
In January 2021, Eastar Jet entered court-administered receivership. However, a turnaround began when Sung Jung, a Korean real estate developer, acquired the airline for over $97 million in June 2021. By March 22, 2022, the Seoul Bankruptcy Court approved the end of Eastar Jet’s restructuring, marking its recovery.
Revival Under VIG Partners
In January 2023, VIG Partners, a leading Korean private equity firm, acquired 100% of Eastar Jet’s shares for 35 billion KRW and injected an additional 110 billion KRW through new shares, totaling a 145 billion KRW investment. This capital infusion enabled Eastar Jet to resume operations with just 3 aircraft in 2023, scaling up to 10 aircraft by year-end and 15 aircraft by 2024. From January to October 2024, the airline carried 2.2 million domestic passengersand 1.48 million international passengers, recovering to 72% of its 2019 levels. This resurgence highlights Eastar Jet’s ability to capitalize on post-pandemic travel demand.
Fleet: A Boeing 737 Focus
As of July 2024, Eastar Jet operates a fleet of 15 Boeing 737 aircraft, comprising 10 Boeing 737-800s and 5 Boeing 737 MAX 8s, all configured with 189 seats in an all-economy layout. This single-fleet strategy minimizes maintenance and training costs, a hallmark of LCCs. The 737-800 offers reliability, while the 737 MAX 8 provides enhanced fuel efficiency and range, ideal for international routes.
Historically, Eastar Jet was the only airline globally to operate all Boeing 737 NG variants (-600, -700, -800, -900), showcasing its expertise. The current fleet’s average age is 10.1 years, but modernization is underway with 12 new 737 MAX 8s on order, with 7 deliveries in 2025 and 5 in 2026, expanding the fleet to 27 aircraft by 2026. Retired models include the 737-600, -700, -900ER, and some older 737-800s and MAX 8s, phased out during the pandemic to streamline operations.
Route Network: Domestic and International Reach
Domestic Routes: Eastar Jet serves 5 domestic destinations—Jeju, Cheongju, Busan, Gunsan, and Seoul (via Gimpo and Incheon). The Seoul-Jeju route remains its flagship, offering frequent flights at competitive fares.
International Routes: By May 2025, Eastar Jet’s network spans 7 countries and 19 destinations, focusing on Northeast and Southeast Asia, with a new venture into Central Asia:
- Japan: Fukuoka, Kumamoto, Naha, Kansai, Sapporo, Tokushima, Narita
- China: Shanghai, Yanji, Zhangjiajie, Zhengzhou
- Thailand: Bangkok, Chiang Mai
- Vietnam: Da Nang, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc
- Taiwan: Taipei (Songshan, Taoyuan)
- Kazakhstan: Almaty
Recent developments include new routes like Incheon-Chiang Mai (July 2023, daily), Incheon-Phu Quoc (July 2024), and Incheon-Almaty (April 2025, twice weekly). Frequency increases, such as Incheon-Sapporo to double daily from October 2024, reflect robust demand.
Codeshare Partnerships: Eastar Jet collaborates with Spring Airlines and T’way Air, enhancing its network reach without additional aircraft.
Services and Fare Structure
Baggage Policy: Passengers can carry 7 kg of hand luggage (55 x 20 x 40 cm) and one personal item. Checked baggage (up to 203 cm, 32 kg) varies by fare type, encouraging light travel to keep costs low.
In-Flight Services: Free water is provided on all flights, with paid beverages and pre-ordered meals on international routes. STAR-TV offers entertainment, and duty-free shopping is available on select international flights. Some routes feature Wi-Fi and family-friendly amenities like diaper-changing facilities.
Fare Types:
- Event Fare: Promotional, no free checked baggage, limited flexibility.
- Discount Fare: Includes 15 kg checked baggage, paid seat selection, limited change options.
- Regular Fare: Offers 15 kg checked baggage and free itinerary changes (cancellation fees may apply).
Online Check-In: Available for domestic flights (24 hours to 30 minutes before departure) and international flights (24 hours to 3 hours), streamlining the boarding process.
Future Outlook
Backed by VIG Partners, Eastar Jet is poised for growth with its fleet expansion and new routes, particularly in emerging markets like Central Asia. Its focus on cost efficiency, modern aircraft, and strategic partnerships positions it to strengthen its role in South Korea’s LCC market and beyond. Travelers can expect competitive fares and improved services, while investors may anticipate potential IPOs or mergers as VIG Partners seeks returns.
Travel Tip: Book Event Fare tickets during promotions for the best deals and use online check-in to save time. For baggage needs, opt for Discount or Regular Fare.
Disclaimer: All information is for reference only and subject to change. For the latest details, visit Eastar Jet’s official website.
