Overview
- SUM Air’s agreement, signed Friday at the France–Korea economic forum in Seoul attended by the French president, covers four firm ATR 72-600s plus four purchase rights with deliveries from 2028.
- The carrier began scheduled flights on March 30 between Seoul Gimpo and Sacheon using a single ATR 72-600 dry-leased from Singapore-based lessor Avation.
- The airline plans to add two more leased ATRs in 2026 to grow near-term domestic routes and to prepare for short hops to Japan and China.
- Planned targets include future island airports at Ulleungdo, Heuksando, and Baengnyeongdo, where 1,200-meter runways are being built to suit short-takeoff turboprops like the ATR 72-600.
- A 2024 regulatory change lifted the small-aircraft cap from 50 to 80 seats, enabling 72-seat ATR operations, and ATR projects a Korean market of 25 to 30 turboprops over the next few years.