SUM Air receives air carrier license, advancing ATR operations in the Republic of Korea

SUM Air, The Republic of Korea’s newest regional airline, has been granted its Air Carrier License, marking a key milestone in its journey towards launching commercial operations with ATR. This achievement now paves the way for the airline to proceed with its Air Operator Certificate application as it prepares to introduce essential air services using ATR 72-600s.

Aligned with Korea’s broader efforts to enhance regional connectivity, particularly to its islands and underutilised airports, SUM Air’s strategic vision is poised to transform the landscape of regional travel. Among its key destinations, SUM Air, which means “Island Air” in Korean, aims to focus on Ulleungdo, where Korea’s first island airport with a 1,200-meter runway, is set to open in 2027. Initially focusing on domestic routes, SUM Air also plans to expand its network to neighbouring Japan.

The ideal aircraft to connect Korea’s underserved regions with low-emission, reliable and cost-effective air services, the ATR 72-600 boasts:

• superior short take-off and landing capabilities
• a low noise footprint – three times quieter than a comparable size regional jets
• superior cost efficiency – delivering significantly lower cost per seat compared to comparable size regional jets
• unrivalled fuel efficiency – burning 45% less fuel and emitting 45% less CO2 per trip compared to similar-size regional jets
• a comprehensive support ecosystem, with an extensive maintenance, training and spare parts network across Asia.

Korea represents a significant opportunity for ATR, and we have ambitious plans to expand our presence in the country, aiming to grow the ATR fleet to 25-30 aircraft over the next five years. The partnership with SUM Air is poised to unlock a wealth of opportunities for low-emission and efficient regional aviation, marking a new chapter in Korea’s aviation legacy.