Parata Airlines Gains License as First Flights Approaches in Korea

South Korea’s Parata Airlines has cleared its biggest regulatory hurdle and taken flight, after securing its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) in August 2025 and commencing commercial service soon after. The relaunch—built on the remains of bankrupt Fly Gangwon—now places a new carrier in the country’s crowded low-cost market at a time of consolidation, with domestic flights already operating and international routes from Incheon set to begin in October 2025.

The airline introduced its first widebody, an Airbus A330-200, at Gimpo International Airport in late August at a ceremony led by CEO Yoon Cheol-min, confirming intent to serve both regional and future long-haul markets. As of 15 September 2025, the company is running scheduled domestic services linking Gimpo, Jeju, and Yangyang, according to flight tracking data. It plans to launch flights from Incheon to Japan and Vietnam starting in October 2025, with ambitions to add routes to Europe and North America in 2026 as its network and fleet grow.

The move marks a sharp turn for a brand that began life as Fly Yangyang in 2016, later became Fly Gangwon, and ultimately fell into bankruptcy in May 2023. Household appliance maker Winix took over in June 2024 through a court-approved rehabilitation plan and rebranded the airline as Parata Airlines, supplying financial backing and management support for a measured return to service. The company now lists strategic bases at Incheon, Gimpo, and Yangyang to spread risk, keep planes flying, and sustain operations through a multi-route approach.

Regulatory approval and what it means

MOLIT’s approval followed a standard series of checks covering operational readiness, safety, and finances. The process included:

1. Submission of detailed manuals and business plans
2. Recruitment and training of staff
3. Setup of safety management systems
4. Acquisition of aircraft
5. Full inspection phase prior to AOC issuance

For travelers, the regulatory milestone signals that Parata Airlines is cleared to sell tickets and operate commercially under South Korean rules. For workers—especially those hired from other carriers amid industry restructuring—it represents a new start and a pathway to return to the skies.

“MOLIT’s reissued AOC in August 2025 enabled the carrier to move quickly to launch service,” reflecting the regulator’s confirmation of Parata’s safety and operational arrangements.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) maintains English-language information for aviation policy and oversight on its official website; travelers and industry stakeholders can review regulatory frameworks and updates via the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT).

Ownership, leadership, and financial backing

Ownership by Winix has been central to the relaunch. Key points:

• Winix acquired the airline in June 2024 through a court-approved rehabilitation plan.
• The company provided fresh management and funding to support the restart.
• CEO Yoon Cheol-min is leading the relaunch with a mandate for cautious growth while meeting safety and operational standards.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, a rehabilitated carrier under a known corporate owner can steady a startup’s early months by bolstering cash flow discipline and basic governance.

Network and fleet strategy taking shape

Parata Airlines is operating a mix of domestic trunk and leisure routes while preparing for short-haul international links in October.

Current footprint and fleet (as of September 2025):

• Domestic routes now operating:
  • Gimpo–Jeju
  • Yangyang–Jeju
• International routes starting October 2025:
  • Incheon–Japan
  • Incheon–Vietnam
• Fleet in service (September 2025): 4 aircraft
  • 2 widebodies: Airbus A330-200 (for medium/long-haul)
  • 2 narrowbodies: Airbus A320-200 (for short-haul)

The Airbus A330-200 (seating 200+ passengers, range roughly 13,400 km) gives the airline the range to target long-haul destinations in 2026. That expansion will require careful scheduling and steady load factors to justify widebody utilization.

Operational rationale:

• Short-haul flying between Seoul-area airports and Jeju keeps visibility with domestic travelers.
• Multi-base approach (Incheon, Gimpo, Yangyang) spreads operational risk and supports seasonal demand.
• The Gimpo A330 introduction served as a public sign of readiness, with new hires and experienced staff attending.

Industry context: the market is adjusting after the pandemic and amid consolidation (e.g., Korean Air’s acquisition of Asiana). A new carrier with fresh funding could exert downward pressure on fares on selected routes and widen options—especially for Jeju travel, where demand remains strong.

Labor, traveler, and regional impacts

Parata’s restart has several social and economic effects:

• Job creation across cabin crew, ground teams, and flight operations.
• Experienced employees from other carriers can reduce start-up operational mistakes.
• Increased flight options can boost local tourism and small business activity around Yangyang and Jeju.
• Consumer groups and local governments have welcomed added capacity, which may improve price and seat availability.

Practical traveler advice:

• Check whether your route operates from Incheon, Gimpo, or Yangyang before booking.
• Watch for the October 2025 launch of Incheon–Japan and Incheon–Vietnam flights.
• Expect schedule adjustments as the airline ramps up; early operations often involve fine-tuning.

Compliance, operations, and growth pacing

From a compliance standpoint, the AOC requires Parata to maintain safety systems, adhere to training standards, and keep adequate financial resources. MOLIT can audit these elements at any time, which can be stabilizing for a young carrier.

Operational considerations:

• Widebody operations demand strict attention to long-haul crew rest rules and spare-part provisioning.
• Growth should remain measured: domestic → regional → long-haul to ensure cash preservation and crew readiness.
• A steady sequence allows training departments to graduate more crew to widebody operations, avoiding shortages.

Reputation and outlook

The carrier’s history matters. Bankruptcy in May 2023 damaged trust; the Winix acquisition in June 2024, followed by the AOC and service launch in 2025, is an effort to rebuild public confidence. Key trust-building steps include:

• Leadership continuity under CEO Yoon Cheol-min
• Transparent publishing of schedules
• Clear handling of disruptions

Longer-term plans for Europe and North America in 2026 hinge on the airline building a strong operational base in 2025. If domestic and regional routes perform well, Parata can funnel passengers into longer routes and better utilize the A330-200’s range and capacity.

Key takeaway: Parata Airlines has met the regulatory bar, put airplanes and crews in place, and begun to fly—creating jobs, adding seats, and giving travelers another option as it builds a network focused on safety and measured expansion.