Jin Air posts W360.3b in Q2 sales, W73.1b operating loss, vows to restore profitability in H2

Jin Air reported second-quarter sales of 360.3 billion won ($254 million) and an operating loss of 73.1 billion won, the airline disclosed Friday.

Sales rose 17.7 percent from a year earlier, but the operating loss widened by 30.8 billion won year on year. The net loss for the period also deepened, reaching 67.5 billion won — an increase of 51.8 billion won from the same period last year.

For the first half of the year, sales hit a record high for any half-year period, though operating profit swung to a loss. First-half sales reached 783.3 billion won, up 8.2 percent on year, while the operating loss came to 15.5 billion won. The net loss for the period stood at 45.9 billion won.

"We are responding to external uncertainties through flexible route operations tailored to market changes and cost efficiency measures," a Jin Air official said. "In the second quarter, we maintained sales growth, but operating costs rose — including higher fuel expenses driven by elevated oil prices — which widened the loss."

The airline expects profitability to improve in the second half as peak-season passenger demand picks up and oil prices and exchange rates stabilize.

Jin Air plans to strengthen cost competitiveness by diversifying routes with a focus on popular destinations such as Japan and China and by introducing new high-efficiency aircraft. The carrier will also launch new services on the Incheon–Kobe and Incheon–Yichang routes and resume flights on the Incheon–Yantai route.

"We will secure a foundation for sustainable growth by maintaining an absolute flight-safety system and preparing without disruption for the launch of an integrated low-cost carrier," the official said.