New airline AirPremia is in danger of canceling its license if it can’t fly within 50 days

Input 2021.01.15 10:00

Air Premia delays aircraft introduction due to prolonged coronavirus
Airline business license must be obtained by March
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport “Conditions such as corona specificity can be considered”

The new airline, AirPremia, is at a crossroads in maintaining its license for air transport business. The driver’s license must be completed by March 5, and the introduction of aircraft was delayed in the wake of the novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19), and the AOC examination, which is essential for the flight, is being delayed. AirPremia announced that there is no problem with the flight as it plans to deliver the aircraft in early February.

According to the aviation industry on the 15th, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is currently undergoing AOC review of Air Premia. The AOC is a step to comprehensively verify that the airlines that have acquired the air transport business license have the manpower, facilities, equipment, and operation/maintenance support systems necessary for safe operation prior to commencement of operation. According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) international standards, airlines around the world must acquire them from their own governments.

Air Premia, based in Incheon, obtained an air transport business license from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on March 5, 2019. The problem is that the license must be operated within two years, but the AOC, which is essential for the operation, has not been issued yet. If the airline does not operate within two years, the license may be canceled after reviewing the reasons attributable to it.

The reason why the issuance of AOC is delayed is that delivery of aircraft is being delayed due to the Corona 19 incident and the manufacturer’s aircraft defect. The AOC screening process requires emergency evacuation and pilot flight, so aircraft is required. Some point out that even if the aircraft is delivered as quickly as possible, it may be difficult to complete all the procedures before March 5, as documents and field inspections take several months. For another new airline, Aero-K, it took a year and two months to get an AOC.

If AirPremia’s license is revoked, there is no guarantee of job security for its employees. AirPremia hired 150 cabin crew members in the first half of last year to prepare for service. However, as the service was delayed in the aftermath of Corona 19, the capital ran out due to labor costs amounting to billions of billions per month, and unpaid leave was provided for some of the employees last year.

On the other hand, AirPremia said, “There is no obstacle to the launch.” An Air Premia official said, “We will deliver one B787-9 aircraft on February 2nd, and we will deliver two more by the end of this year.” I think the screening will be finished within a month,” he said.

AirPremia was initially scheduled to launch its first flights to Vietnam, Japan, and Hong Kong. However, as the corona 19 incident immediately blocked the sky path to overseas, the domestic flight is also under consideration internally. Employees also said that they will end their unpaid leave and all will go to work next week.

Some point out that the aviation industry needs a decision from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. As most of the domestic airlines suffer a disruption in their flight due to the prolonged COVID-19 situation that has lasted for nearly a year, the new flight deadline must be extended. In response, an official of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said, “If AirPremia fails to operate until March 5, an internal review is necessary whether the business license will be canceled immediately.” .