The airline restarted domestic flights on March 29, 2023, after a hiatus of over three years, initially operating with four aircraft; international operations resumed on September 3, 2023. As of November 2025, Eastar Jet's fleet consists of 19 narrow-body aircraft comprising 10 Boeing 737-800s and 9 Boeing 737 MAX 8s. The airline plans to expand its fleet to 27 aircraft by 2026, with seven deliveries in 2025 and five in 2026. Eastar Jet will increase Fukuoka–Seoul Incheon services to 4 daily round trips beginning August 14, 2026.
Cyborg Score Rationale
Eastar Jet has achieved strong operational recovery since its March 2023 restart under VIG Partners ownership, with aggressive fleet expansion to 27 aircraft by 2026 and rapid route network growth across Asia. However, as a private regional LCC in a competitive market dominated by larger carriers (Korean Air, Asiana), profitability and sustained cash flow generation remain key execution risks.
Top Insights
As of November 2025, Eastar Jet flies to 5 domestic destinations within South Korea and 19 international destinations across 7 countries, including Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Taiwan, and others.
During 2024, the fleet was expanded to 15 aircraft with the addition of four Boeing 737-800s and one Boeing 737 MAX 8.
Eastar Jet is particularly well-positioned to benefit from stabilizing fuel costs, with LCCs expanding aggressively into secondary airports and high-frequency short-haul routes that are proving highly attractive to price-sensitive travelers.
Eastar Jet launched a cargo business (Bell Cargo) beginning in January 2025 with the Bangkok route, expanding to Tokyo and Osaka routes from February 2025 onward.
Named Competitors
Jeju Air — South Korean low-cost carrier with significant domestic and regional Asian network
AirAsia — Regional Southeast Asian low-cost carrier with extensive Asia-Pacific network
Lion Air — Indonesia's largest airline competing on regional routes across Southeast Asia
T'way Air — South Korean low-cost carrier with domestic and regional Asian routes
Air Premia — South Korean hybrid/low-cost carrier with domestic and international routes across Asia
Jin Air — South Korean low-cost carrier operating domestic and regional international routes
Recent Developments
(August 2026) Planned expansion of Fukuoka–Seoul Incheon services to 4 daily round trips
(July 2025) Began preparation for opening Incheon-Manado route with target operation end of October
(January 2025) Launched Bell Cargo business operations starting with Bangkok route
(January 2023) VIG Partners acquisition of 100% stake completed for approximately USD 78.6 million
Open the full interactive Eastar Jet report
Strategic research, analyst-debate audio, full Cyborg Score breakdown across 11 dimensions, and saved-company audio playlists.