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SUM Air Ushers in a New Era of Regional Aviation in Korea wit Launch of ATR 72-600 Service

ATR has announced that SUM Air of South Korea commenced commercial operations on March 30, 2026.  Founded in 2022, Sum Air underwent more than three years of thorough preparation, receiving their ACL in February 2025, and now introducing the ATR 72-600 to Korea.


SUM Air ATR 72-600 - Courtesy ATR
SUM Air ATR 72-600 - Courtesy ATR

On Monday (March 30, 2026), ATR announced that SUM Air, a new regional airline in South Korea, has commenced commercial operations with the latest generation ATR 72-600.  Established in November 2022, the company has undergone over three years of thorough preparation, and obtained their Air Carrier License (ACL) in February 2025.  This was followed by recruiting experienced personnel, conducting crew training, establishing safety procedures, performing trial flights, and introducing the latest-generation ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft to Korea.  SUM Air was founded with the vision of offering flights to the future island airports, underserved regions across the continent, and to Japan and China.  The carrier set out to tackle a challenge often overlooked in modern aviation, that is how to restore mobility to places that large aircraft and major carriers rarely reach.  


SUM Air ATR 72-600 Painting Video - Courtesy SUM Air


Starting March 30, 2026, SUM Air launched regular operations with the Gimpo–Sacheon route, providing essential air services with ATR 72-600s to regions that have historically lacked convenient connectivity.  This is just the beginning, with future plans including routes to Japan, services to Ulleungdo Island once its airport is completed, and new ‘continental’ connections. 


Designed to operate from shorter runways and smaller airports, the ATR 72-600 will make it possible for SUM Air to serve future island airports in Korea, destinations where jets cannot operate.  It also enables profitable operations on routes that would not be viable with larger aircraft, supporting SUM Air’s ambition to open new air services.  With ATR’s turboprop technology, operators can deliver significant environmental advantages, burning percent less fuel, emitting 45 percent less CO₂ per trip compared to similar-size jets, making it a powerful tool for low-emission regional connectivity.


 

Source: ATR

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