Air Busan says A321neo fleet shift saves fuel equivalent to 150 Busan-Seoul round trips

Air Busan said Monday it has restructured its fleet operations around the fuel-efficient A321neo to cut fuel costs and improve operational efficiency.

The airline began shifting roughly 150 round-trip flights to A321neo-centered operations in April, with a particular focus on longer domestic routes.

The company expects the changes to save approximately 780,000 liters (about 206,000 gallons) of fuel in the second quarter, delivering cost savings of around 1.4 billion won (about $919,000). That volume of fuel is equivalent to roughly 153 round trips on the Busan-Gimpo route.

Air Busan was the first South Korean carrier to introduce the A321neo, taking delivery of the type in 2020. The aircraft now accounts for about 40 percent of the airline's total fleet and has become its primary workhorse.

The A321neo is regarded as an eco-friendly aircraft that offers superior fuel efficiency and lower carbon emissions compared with similar-class jets. Air Busan said its A321neo-centered operations are delivering annual carbon reductions of roughly 40,000 metric tons. The carrier currently operates an all-Airbus fleet.

"We are making various efforts to maximize the operational efficiency of our fleet amid external uncertainties such as high fuel prices," an Air Busan official said. "Through the 'BX Green Operation' campaign, which has been under way since April, we will continue to pursue fuel savings and eco-friendly flight practices."

Meanwhile, Air Busan is preparing to launch a combined low-cost carrier alongside Jin Air and Air Seoul. The integrated LCC — a project that follows the merger of Korean Air and Asiana Airlines — will consolidate the three carriers with Jin Air as the surviving legal entity. The combined carrier is targeting a first-quarter 2027 launch, following the debut of the integrated Korean Air on Dec. 17.