Korean regional airline SUM Air placed an order for up to eight ATR72-600 aircraft (four firm orders and four purchase rights) on April 3, 2026, with deliveries set to start from 2028. The deal was signed during the state visit to Seoul of French president Emmanuel Macron.
While SUM Air is new to the market, it is, technically speaking, not an entirely new ATR operator, since this deal has been signed just days after SUM Air launched scheduled operations with an ATR72-600 leased from Singapore-based lessor Avation.
Although it was founded as a subsidiary of a firm called ‘Mobility as a Freedom’ (MAAF) back in 2022, SUM Air only received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) on March 30, 2026.
Shortly afterwards, it completed its first commercial service between Seoul – Gimpo International Airport (GMP) and Sacheon (HIN), in southern Korea.
Prior to today’s announcement, SUM Air was reported to be planning a fleet of at least three ATR72-600 aircraft. However, it is not clear whether the two additional aircraft it was originally looking to acquire are included in the new turboprop order.
It is also possible that, regardless of the latest order, SUM Air will seek to increase capacity earlier than that through leased aircraft. It plans to continue developing its network, not just within Korea, but linking with neighboring China and Japan as well.
Interestingly, ‘SUM’ is the Latinization of the Korean word for ‘island’, which hints at the new carrier’s intention to serve several of the islands that dot the seas surrounding the Korean peninsula.
In this regard, the airline has specifically mentioned three islands, Ulleungdo, Heuksando and Baengnyeongdo, as potential new destinations. It is worth noting that, while none of them currently has an operational airport, plans are already underway to equip each of them with a 1,200-meter runway. While this is a short length for many commercial aircraft, it would place these future island airports within the operational envelope of the ATR72-600.
As part of its efforts to develop domestic regional air connectivity, in 2024 the Korean government updated the regulations covering regional air services, raising the maximum seat capacity permitted under the small aircraft operations license from 50 to 80 seats. This has made it possible for the 72-seat ATR 72-600 to operate under this framework. SUM Air is the first carrier to be licensed under the revised scheme.
ATR has said that it sees potential for the operation of between 25 and 30 ATR72-600 in the Korean market over the coming years.
