Aviation News – SUM Air, South Korea’s newest regional carrier, has finalized an agreement with ATR for the purchase of four ATR 72-600 aircraft plus four additional purchase rights. This strategic expansion aims to revitalize domestic air travel and strengthen links between Korea’s underserved regions and neighboring international markets.
The deal was officially signed during the France–Korea bilateral economic forum in Seoul, a high-profile event attended by the French President. This agreement marks a rapid scaling of operations for SUM Air, which only recently launched its commercial services in March 2026 utilizing a leased aircraft from Avation. The airline has been in development since its founding in 2022, focusing heavily on safety validation and personnel training.
Following three years of rigorous preparation, the carrier received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) on March 10, 2026. The newly ordered fleet is scheduled for delivery starting in 2028, providing a long-term roadmap for the airline’s growth. By securing these brand-new turboprops, SUM Air positions itself as a primary player in the South Korean regional market, backed by strong diplomatic and economic ties between France and Korea.
The ATR 72-600 is recognized as the most fuel-efficient regional aircraft in its class, utilizing advanced turboprop technology to reduce CO2 emissions significantly compared to similar-sized jets. This technical efficiency is crucial for SUM Air’s mission to provide responsible air mobility to future island airports and short-haul routes to Japan and China. The aircraft’s ability to operate from shorter runways makes it the ideal tool for connecting remote regions that larger aircraft cannot serve.
