FTC approves combination of Jin Air, Air Seoul, Air Busan

The merger of Jin Air, Air Busan, and Air Seoul has received final regulatory approval, allowing the three low-cost carriers to operate as a single entity under the Jin Air brand starting March 17, according to the Korean antitrust authority, the Fair Trade Commission (FTC). The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport also granted its approval, clearing the path for the integration of the airlines through Jin Air's acquisition of Air Busan and Air Seoul, following Korean Air's purchase of Asiana Airlines.

The regulatory clearance removes the primary regulatory hurdles in restructuring Hanjin Group's airline operations, pending the scheduled launch of the full-service Korean Air on December 17. Jin Air will assume the assets, liabilities, employees, and legal status of the other two carriers. The combined airline will become the largest low-cost carrier in Korea by fleet size, with approximately 58 aircraft in operation by the end of 2025. It will consolidate the routes, aircraft, and operating infrastructure of the three carriers.