Sales reach 413.1 billion won, a quarterly record

Japan route expansion, focus on profitable routes drive growth

A Jin Air Boeing 737-800 passenger aircraft [Jin Air]
A Jin Air Boeing 737-800 passenger aircraft [Jin Air]

Jin Air posted an operating profit of 7.8 billion won ($5.81 million) in the third quarter, swinging from an operating loss of 22.5 billion won in the same period a year earlier, the carrier announced Friday. Sales rose 35.7 percent year-on-year to 413.1 billion won.

The company said third-quarter sales marked a quarterly record. Net profit for the period came in at 31.2 billion won, reversing a net loss of 27.5 billion won in the year-earlier quarter.

Jin Air said sales growth was driven by its expansion of Japan routes on the back of a weak yen and rising demand from China, as the carrier adapted to shifts in the short-haul market. It added that the return to operating profitability came from concentrating supply on high-margin routes despite a challenging business environment marked by elevated fuel costs.

However, the airline remains in the red on a cumulative basis for the first three quarters of this year. Cumulative sales climbed 16.3 percent year-on-year to 1.2 trillion won, but the operating loss widened to 7.7 billion won from 6.5 billion won a year earlier. The cumulative net loss stood at 14.6 billion won, reversing a net profit of 2.4 billion won in the same period last year.

Looking ahead to the fourth quarter, Jin Air said it expects a complex mix of conditions — favorable factors such as the continued weak yen and a stabilizing exchange rate alongside external risks including oil price volatility. In response, the carrier plans to diversify its destinations, including launching a new Incheon–Ho Chi Minh City route, and to manage its network in line with seasonal patterns and market demand.

Jin Air also said it will strengthen its flight safety systems while pressing ahead with preparations for the launch of an integrated Jin Air, scheduled for March 2027.


eyre@heraldcorp.com