South Korea’s low-cost carriers are feeling the pressure of surging fuel costs as the industry braces for a difficult summer., with Jin Air delaying the start dates of newly hired cabin crew and rival airlines rolling out unpaid leave programs.
The Chosun Daily first reported on May 12, 2026 that Jin Air had pushed back the onboarding of around 50 new cabin crew members to late September or early October 2026, just days before they were set to begin work on June 1, 2026.
The airline had recruited roughly 100 flight attendants in its first-half hiring round. About half had already started training, while the rest were caught off guard by the sudden delay.
A Jin Air official said the postponement was necessary as the company shifts into emergency management mode amid rising global oil prices driven by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The official stressed that the delay does not amount to a cancellation and that the overall hiring plan remains in place.
Routes slashed to cut costs
Jin Air has been trimming its international schedule to bring down fuel expenses. The airline cut 45 flights across eight routes in May 2026, including services to Guam, followed by another 131 flights on 14 routes in May, including Phu Quoc. In total, 176 round-trip flights have been dropped over the past two months, and further reductions are expected once the June 2026 schedule is finalized.
The carrier has also suspended annual safety incentive payments for employees as part of broader cost-cutting efforts.
Other budget carriers tightening belts
Jin Air is not alone. Other South Korean budget airlines are taking similar steps as fuel surcharges weigh on summer travel demand.
Jeju Air, the country’s largest low-cost carrier, began accepting applications for unpaid leave from cabin crew members starting May 8, 2026, covering the month of June. T’way Air introduced a two-month unpaid leave program for flight attendants running through May and June. Aero K accepted voluntary unpaid leave applications from all staff throughout May.
Government watching closely
The South Korean government is keeping a close eye on the situation. The Ministry of Employment and Labor held an emergency meeting late April 2026 to assess labor conditions across the aviation sector. Officials warned that if route reductions continue due to the prolonged conflict, industry-wide employment adjustments may become unavoidable.
