• With the introduction of the first Seom Air aircraft, the process of issuing an Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) has been accelerated.

• Operation of the ATR 72-600, an eco-friendly aircraft specialized for short runways.

• Starting with Sacheon and Ulsan in the first half of 2026, the airline  plans to expand operations to domestic and international airports, including Ulleungdo, Heuksando, Baengnyeongdo, and Tsushima.

The first aircraft of Regional Air Mobility (Regional Air Mobility) operator Sumair (CEO: Yongdeok Choi), a new ATR 72-600 aircraft, is scheduled to be delivered to Korea in early December.

Sum Air announced that “the new ATR 72-600 aircraft, for which a contract was signed with aircraft leasing company AVATION PLC on December 12, 2024, have arrived at the ATR factory in Toulouse Airport, France, and once the final remaining processes are completed, they will undergo various test flights, including stability tests, and will be delivered to Korea in early December.” Sum Air plans to introduce two more aircraft in 2026, and sequentially introduce eight more aircraft starting in 2027 in accordance with the new aircraft purchase contract signed with ATR . It is a very rare case worldwide for a new airline to introduce new aircraft and begin operations from the air operator certificate stage, and this is thanks to the deep trust and interest shown by ATR and its parent company, Airbus, in Sum Air and the Korean regional aviation market.

Jeff Chatfield, Chairman of Avation, said, “ We are delighted to announce the contract with Sumair for the ATR 72-600. Sumair’s decision to acquire the ATR 72-600 aircraft is an excellent choice to stimulate the regional aviation market connecting cities and islands across South Korea. Sumair’s choice of the low-emission ATR 72-600 aircraft allows Avation to promote the development of an environmentally friendly aviation industry in South Korea and contribute to the growth of regional aviation in South Korea.”

Also, Rick Howard (former COO of Cebu Pacific Airlines), an aircraft introduction advisor for Sum Air, said, “Sum Air’s first aircraft, which received MSN (Manufacturer Serial Number) 1745 from ATR, will arrive at the FAL (Final Assembly Line) of the ATR factory in Toulouse, France  in October, and after completing the painting process, it is expected to arrive at Gimpo Airport in early December.” It is expected that the public will be able to see Sum Air’s first aircraft performing its maiden demonstration flight between Gimpo and Sacheon in December for its airworthiness certification.

With the introduction schedule for its first aircraft now confirmed, Seom Air plans to accelerate the process of obtaining an Air Operator Certificate (AOC). This is the final step before Seom Air officially launches operations.

Choi Yong-deok, CEO of Seom Air, stated, "With a route strategy centered on small airports, we plan to offer operations and services that complement those of existing full-service carriers (FSCs) and low-cost carriers (LCCs). By introducing the proven ATR 72-600 aircraft, we will enhance the convenience of inter-regional travel and connect every corner of the nation's islands, serving as a village bus within the air transport network."

Established in November 2022, Seom Air aims to become a regional air mobility airline, connecting cities and islands and establishing a network of short-haul inland flights, offering unique journeys. Having obtained a small air transport operator license in February of this year, Seom Air is preparing to launch Gimpo-Sacheon and Gimpo-Ulsan routes in the first half of 2026, with plans to expand operations to domestic and international airports, including Ulleungdo, Heuksando, Baengnyeongdo, and Tsushima.