Korean carrier Air Premia to buy 5 Boeing 787 Dreamliner jets

Oct 30, 2019: Korean startup airline Air Premia has decided to invest in widebody airplane, Boeing 787-9. The airline has planned to buy five 787-9 Dreamliner airplanes from Boeing for $1.4 billion.

With its base at Seoul Incheon International Airport, Air Premia announced its plan to launch operations in September 2020. The carrier will initially operate regionally in Asia before expanding its network to Los Angeles and San Jose by 2021.

The airline after acquiring the airplanes will become, according to Boeing, ‘South Korea’s second Dreamliner operator’.

The jet can fly 296 passengers in a standard configuration with a published range of 7,530 nautical miles (13,950 kilometres).

The Dreamliner model, powered by a revolutionary design and advanced engines, enables airlines to reduce fuel use and emissions by 20 to 25 percent compared to previous airplanes.

According to a statement from Boeing, “The market-leading economics and capabilities of the Dreamliner will enable Air Premia to offer the best-in-class service to its customers at competitive fares.”

Peter Sim, CEO of Air Premia said: “With the 787-9’s superior fuel efficiency and range capabilities, this investment fits perfectly with our unique business model and will position Air Premia for sustainable long-term growth.”

“As new entrants in Asia continue to launch innovative business models and strategies for growth, we are excited that Air Premia have selected the 787-9 Dreamliner to power their future fleet,” said Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing, The Boeing Company.