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Photo courtesy of Jeju Air |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] Seoul, August 27, 2025 — Jeju Air announced that it will suspend operations on its Incheon–Guam route for the first time in 13 years, citing declining demand and intensifying competition from other carriers. The airline will also halt flights on its Busan–Da Nang route beginning in October.
According to industry sources on August 27, Jeju Air has begun notifying passengers that Guam–Incheon return flights scheduled from October onward have been canceled due to a change in business plans. The suspension affects tickets sold as recently as June during Jeju Air’s annual “JJIM Special” discount promotion.
Operations on the Incheon–Guam route will be halted through March 28, 2026, with no decision yet on whether flights will resume afterward. Except for the COVID-19 period, this marks the first time Jeju Air has suspended the route since launching service.
The Incheon–Guam route was once popular with family travelers and honeymooners, but demand has weakened in recent years while seat supply has increased. Korean Air and Jin Air have recently expanded capacity on the same route, increasing weekly flights from 14 to 21 and from 7 to 14, respectively. The expansion follows conditions imposed by the Korea Fair Trade Commission during the Korean Air–Asiana Airlines merger approval, which required airlines to maintain over 90% of 2019 seat supply on certain routes.
Jeju Air will also suspend Busan–Da Nang operations from October through March 28, 2026, citing similar reasons.
The airline has begun refunding customers, though some passengers expressed frustration over sudden cancellations. One customer said, “I had already booked a non-refundable hotel, and after my October flight was canceled, the November rebooking was also canceled. It’s extremely frustrating.” Another traveler commented, “They didn’t even provide alternative flights, so I had to cancel my trip. I won’t be flying with Jeju Air again.”
Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
