Busan-Fukuoka and Busan-Sapporo routes mark first anniversary

Combined 21 weekly flights serve Yeongnam region travel demand

Passengers in their 20s and 30s make up 42%; those in their 50s and 60s account for 30%

A Trinity Airways aircraft [Trinity Airways]
A Trinity Airways aircraft [Trinity Airways]

Trinity Airways carried approximately 300,000 passengers on its Busan-Fukuoka and Busan-Sapporo routes in the first year of operations. Both routes have maintained average load factors above 90%, consistently drawing travelers from the Yeongnam region seeking flights to Japan.

The airline announced Monday that the two routes, which launched at Gimhae International Airport last October, have reached their first anniversary.

Both routes have sustained average load factors above 90% since launch. Trinity Airways attributed the stable performance to a steady stream of travelers from Busan, South Gyeongsang Province and North Gyeongsang Province looking to visit Japan.

Passengers were spread across a relatively broad range of age groups. An analysis of travelers on the two routes showed that those in their 20s made up the largest share at 22%, followed by those in their 30s at 20%. Passengers in their 50s accounted for 19%, those in their 40s for 14%, those in their 60s for 11%, teenagers for 10% and others for 4%. Travelers in their 20s and 30s combined for 42 percent of the total, while those in their 50s and 60s reached 30 percent, indicating that middle-aged and older passengers also make up a significant share of ridership.

The Busan-Fukuoka route features a flight time of about one hour. The connection to Japan's Kyushu region has made it a popular option for weekend getaways and business travel.

The Busan-Sapporo route serves Japan's Hokkaido region. Sapporo draws tourists not only for its winter snow festival and ski resorts but also for its summer scenery, generating travel demand across seasons.

Trinity Airways currently operates the Busan-Fukuoka route 14 times a week and the Busan-Sapporo route seven times a week, for a combined 21 weekly flights. The schedule broadens flight options for Yeongnam-region travelers heading to Japan.

Beyond Korean travelers departing for Japan, the airline also expects growing inbound demand from Japanese tourists visiting Busan. An increase in Japanese arrivals through Gimhae International Airport could benefit the tourism industry in Busan and the broader Yeongnam region, the carrier said.

"Thanks to the warm support of customers in Busan and the Yeongnam region, the Busan-Fukuoka and Busan-Sapporo routes have successfully marked their first anniversary," a Trinity Airways official said. "We will continue to expand synergies at the Sono Trinity Group level while offering customers an even more convenient and enjoyable travel experience."

Trinity Airways rebranded from its former name, T'way Air, on Sept. 10, launching operations under its new brand. The airline retained its existing carrier code "TW" and flight designators.

The airline has also been expanding interline partnerships. On Oct. 13, it announced an interline agreement with Taiwan's EVA Air, under which the two carriers will sell connecting itineraries combining their respective European and Asian routes into a single journey.


kwater@heraldcorp.com