Call for Synergy with Gadeokdo International Airport... Busan People Power Party Councilors: "Integrated LCC Headquarters Must Be in Busan"

As the integration of Jin Air, Air Busan, and Air Seoul progresses following the merger of Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, members of the People Power Party in the Busan Metropolitan Council have called for the headquarters of the integrated low-cost carrier (LCC) to be located in Busan.

Park Jongcheol, floor leader of the People Power Party in the Busan Metropolitan Council (representing Gijang District 1), and other party members held a press conference, asserting, "Attracting the integrated LCC headquarters to Busan is not merely about securing a single company. It is a key agenda that will determine the success of the new Gadeokdo International Airport, drive a new leap forward for the southeastern region, and promote balanced national development."

On the afternoon of the 26th, members of the People Power Party held a press conference at the Busan City Council urging that the headquarters of the Integrated Low-Cost Carrier be located in Busan.

Park, speaking on behalf of the council members, emphasized that Air Busan was launched with Busan as its home base and has served as a local base airline, achieving the top market share at Gimhae Airport for ten consecutive years.

He stated, "The reason why 3.2 million Busan residents and 7.5 million people in the southeastern region have demanded the preservation of Air Busan is clear. To allow Gadeokdo International Airport to emerge as the gateway airport for southern Korea, it is essential to have a base airline that can reliably secure and operate stable flight routes and pioneer new international routes."

Park also called for the involvement of the government and Korea Development Bank.

He argued, "When the government and Korea Development Bank began discussions on the merger of Korean Air and Asiana Airlines in 2020, they proposed bringing the three LCCs together to create a 'second hub based on regional airports.' At that time, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport also strongly considered Busan as a candidate location. They must now provide a responsible response to the promises and policy plans presented at that time."

He reiterated, "Attracting the integrated LCC headquarters to Busan is not simply a matter of securing a single company. It serves as a crucial stepping stone for activating Gadeokdo International Airport, strengthening national logistics competitiveness, establishing a leading maritime metropolitan region, overcoming the dominant position of the capital region, and achieving balanced national development."

The party members also demanded that Korean Air establish the headquarters of the integrated LCC in Busan.

Park stated, "The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Korea Development Bank can no longer hide behind the pretext of ‘private sector autonomy.’ Given that the government and policy banks have led the aviation industry restructuring, they must now take responsibility and present concrete solutions for the regional aviation industry and the future of Busan."

He further urged Korean Air, saying, "For the balanced development of the aviation industry and the success of Gadeokdo International Airport, a bold decision to locate the headquarters of the integrated LCC in Busan is necessary."

Park also proposed a bipartisan response among Busan's political circles. He said, "There can be no division between parties in securing Busan’s air routes. Attracting the integrated LCC headquarters to Busan is not an issue for a particular party or politician. It is an issue that determines the future of Busan, so all local politicians must unite their efforts."

On this day, the People Power Party members of the Busan Metropolitan Council resolved and called for ▲ the government, Korea Development Bank, and Busan Metropolitan Government to take the lead in establishing the integrated LCC headquarters in Busan; ▲ Korean Air to make a decisive commitment to Busan; ▲ the bipartisan efforts of Busan’s political community to attract the headquarters.

Park concluded, "The sky over Busan determines Busan’s future. For the success of Gadeokdo International Airport, a new leap forward in the southeastern region, and balanced national development, the headquarters of the integrated LCC must be established in Busan."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.