Air Busan
A South Korean low-cost airline headquartered in Busan and centered on operations from Gimhae International Airport.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Air Busan is a South Korean low-cost airline headquartered in Busan and associated with Gimhae International Airport, the principal gateway for the country's southeastern region. The airline was created to strengthen Busan's direct air links and provide a lower-fare alternative for domestic and short-haul international travel. It began under the name Busan International Airlines Company in 2007, changed to Air Busan in 2008, and was established through cooperation involving the city of Busan, local interests, and Asiana Airlines. Asiana became the airline's strategic parent and corporate-group partner. Air Busan began commercial operations in October 2008 with service between Busan and Gimpo. Its early operating plan was based on a low-cost carrier model, using a relatively simple service structure and concentrating on routes with strong regional, leisure, and visiting-friends-and-relatives demand. The airline subsequently developed domestic services linking Busan with other Korean destinations and expanded internationally, beginning with Fukuoka in March 2010. Its international network has included destinations in Japan, mainland China, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia, although individual routes and schedules have changed over time in response to demand, regulation, competition, and aircraft availability. The carrier has historically operated Airbus and Boeing narrow-body aircraft suitable for short- and medium-haul routes. Its fleet development included an initial order for five Boeing 737 aircraft in 2008 and the delivery of its first Airbus A321-200 in 2011. Later fleet information identifies an all-Airbus A320-family fleet, but fleet size and exact composition are time-sensitive and should be checked against current company disclosures. Air Busan's commercial proposition is regional rather than global. The brand has focused on making Busan a practical origin point for domestic travel and international trips to nearby Asian markets, reducing the need for some passengers to connect through Seoul. Its core products are scheduled passenger flights, fare bundles, and ancillary services such as checked baggage, seat selection, and other booking-related options. The airline has also maintained codeshare relationships with carriers including Asiana Airlines, All Nippon Airways, and Jin Air at different points in its history. The airline's ownership and strategic position have been affected by the proposed Korean Air acquisition and integration of Asiana Airlines. A post-merger plan approved by the Korea Development Bank provided for Air Busan and Air Seoul to be combined with Jin Air, Korean Air's low-cost subsidiary. The future corporate structure, brand treatment, network, and operating status therefore depend on the completion and implementation of the broader airline merger process. Air Busan also experienced a serious aircraft fire at Gimhae International Airport in January 2025, an event that prompted an official safety investigation and became a major recent development in the brand's public record.
History
Air Busan was established on 31 August 2007 as Busan International Airlines Company. Its formation reflected an effort to build a stronger regional airline presence in Busan and improve the usefulness of Gimhae International Airport for residents and businesses in southeastern South Korea. In February 2008, the company adopted the Air Busan name and signed an investment agreement involving the city of Busan and Asiana Airlines. The arrangement connected the new carrier to Asiana while preserving a distinct low-cost airline identity. The airline prepared for launch during 2008. It ordered five Boeing 737 aircraft in April and received a regular air transportation licence two months later. In October, it established operating bases at Gimpo and Jeju and began scheduled service between Busan and Gimpo. The initial strategy concentrated on domestic routes where a Busan-based operator could offer frequent and relatively inexpensive travel while reducing reliance on Seoul-based carriers. Air Busan expanded rapidly during its first two years. It received its fifth Boeing 737-400 in April 2009, recorded 10,000 flights within 299 days of starting operations, and carried its first million passengers in September 2009. International expansion followed in March 2010 with the launch of the Busan–Fukuoka route. Passenger totals continued to rise, reaching two million in April 2010. In January 2011, Air Busan received its first Airbus A321-200, supporting the airline's development of longer domestic and regional international routes. During the following years, Air Busan built a network extending beyond South Korea into Japan, China, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia. Its route portfolio was shaped by the economics of short-haul flying, seasonal leisure traffic, bilateral aviation rights, airport capacity, and changes in consumer demand. The carrier's business remained focused on passenger transport rather than cargo or a broad full-service airline model. Its low-cost proposition was supported by fare-based service differentiation and ancillary products associated with baggage, seating, and other travel options. Air Busan also participated in wider airline-group arrangements. At different times it maintained codeshare relationships with Asiana Airlines, All Nippon Airways, and Jin Air. In 2018, it applied for preliminary screening for an initial public offering, although the supplied reference material does not establish that a listing was completed. The airline's long-term structure became uncertain after Korean Air's proposed acquisition of Asiana Airlines. In 2021, the Korea Development Bank approved a post-merger instruction plan that included combining Air Busan and Air Seoul with Jin Air, Korean Air's low-cost subsidiary. The proposed consolidation would place the three brands within a larger low-cost airline platform, but the eventual timing, legal structure, branding, fleet allocation, and route consequences require confirmation from current corporate and regulatory announcements. Air Busan continued to use Gimhae as its main operating center. From 26 March 2024, it used the expanded international terminal at Gimhae exclusively for its international operations. On 28 January 2025, an Airbus A321-200 operating as Flight 391 caught fire before takeoff while preparing to fly from Gimhae to Hong Kong. The aircraft was evacuated, 176 people were on board, and seven injuries were reported. The incident was described in the reference material as Air Busan's first hull loss. The investigation and any resulting safety or operational measures are separate from the airline's ordinary commercial development and should be tracked through official aviation-authority findings.
- 2025
Flight 391 aircraft fire
[1]An Airbus A321-200 caught fire before departure at Gimhae; all people on board were evacuated and seven injuries were reported.
- 2024
Use of expanded Gimhae international terminal
[1]Air Busan used the expanded international terminal at Gimhae International Airport exclusively for its international operations from 26 March.
- 2021
Proposed integration with Jin Air
[1]A Korea Development Bank-approved post-merger plan provided for Air Busan and Air Seoul to be integrated with Jin Air following the Korean Air–Asiana Airlines transaction.
- 2018
Preliminary IPO screening application
[1]Air Busan applied for preliminary screening connected with a potential initial public offering; the supplied material does not confirm a completed listing.
- 2011
First Airbus A321-200 delivered
[1]Air Busan took delivery of its first Airbus A321-200, expanding its narrow-body fleet options for domestic and regional routes.
- 2010
International service begins
[1]Air Busan launched service between Busan and Fukuoka in March, beginning its international network expansion.
- 2009
Early operating milestones reached
[1]The airline reached 10,000 flights within 299 days of launch and carried its first million passengers in September.
- 2008
Name changed to Air Busan and investment agreement signed
[1]The company adopted the Air Busan name, signed an investment agreement involving Busan and Asiana Airlines, ordered five Boeing 737 aircraft, and obtained a regular air transportation licence.
- 2008
Commercial operations begin
[1]Air Busan began scheduled flights in October, initially operating between Busan and Gimpo.
- 2007
Company established as Busan International Airlines
[1]Busan International Airlines Company was established on 31 August as the predecessor of Air Busan.
Products and positioning
A Busan-centered low-cost airline serving South Korean domestic travel and regional Asian markets with simplified fares and short- to medium-haul services.
Passenger airline services · 2008
Domestic passenger flights
Scheduled flights within South Korea, historically centered on connections involving Busan, Gimpo, Jeju, and other major Korean airports. Domestic flying established Air Busan's initial operating base and remains an important part of its regional-airline identity. Routes and frequencies are subject to seasonal scheduling, demand, airport capacity, and regulatory approvals.
International passenger airline services · 2010
International passenger flights
Short- and medium-haul international services connecting South Korea with destinations in Japan, mainland China, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia. The first international route, Busan–Fukuoka, opened in 2010. Air Busan's international network is designed around regional travel and may change as market conditions, bilateral rights, aircraft availability, and public-health or regulatory requirements change.
Airline fares · 2008
Low-cost fare products
Fare-based air transportation sold under a low-cost carrier model. The offering emphasizes competitive base fares and separates or varies certain services according to the selected fare and booking conditions. Exact fare families, inclusions, restrictions, and availability are time-sensitive and should be confirmed through the airline's current booking channels.
Travel-related ancillary services
Ancillary airline services
Additional services associated with passenger bookings may include checked baggage, seat selection, and other travel options. These services support the low-cost operating model by allowing passengers to select or purchase options according to their itinerary and fare conditions. Current products, fees, and eligibility rules vary by route and booking.
Brand decisions
2021
Prepare for integration with Jin AirM&ABackground
The proposed Korean Air acquisition of Asiana Airlines created a need to reorganize the affiliated low-cost carriers.
Action taken
The Korea Development Bank-approved post-merger plan included combining Air Busan and Air Seoul with Jin Air.
Aftermath
Air Busan's future ownership, brand architecture, fleet, and route structure became dependent on the implementation of the wider Korean Air–Asiana merger.
2010
Launch the Busan–Fukuoka international routeProduct launchBackground
After beginning domestic operations, Air Busan sought to extend its Busan-centered network into nearby international markets.
Action taken
The airline introduced scheduled service between Busan and Fukuoka in March 2010.
Aftermath
The route became the starting point for broader international expansion across Northeast Asia and other Asian markets.
2008
Adopt a Busan-centered low-cost carrier modelStrategyBackground
Busan and local stakeholders sought stronger regional air connectivity and more competitive fares from Gimhae International Airport.
Action taken
Air Busan launched as a low-cost airline focused first on domestic routes and later on nearby international markets.
Aftermath
The model enabled rapid initial network development and positioned the airline as a regional alternative to larger full-service carriers.
Recent events
Ahn Byung-suk tapped to head Air Busan[3]
Reported:
Ahn Byung-suk was tapped to head Air Busan as part of Asiana Airlines' executive reshuffle.
Sources3 sources
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