Joseon Air
Joseon Air
조선항공
mighty-also-near
| IATA | ICAO | Call sign |
|---|---|---|
JS |
JOS |
JOSEON |
- Founded
- 1946
- Parent company
- Joseon Air Group
- Region
- #region:asia
- Headquarters
- Gimpo, Seoul, #country:south-korea
- Alliance
- Orbis Alliance #alliance:orbis
- Frequent flyer program
- Taeguk Miles
- Website
- https://joseonAIR.com
- Hubs
- Seoul (Incheon, Gimpo), Busan, Jeju
- Subsidiaries
- HorizonAir
- Slogan
- Taking Korea Higher
- Tags
- #airline:joseon-air
Joseon Air (조선항공) Joseon Air is a South Korean full‑service airline headquartered in Seoul, operating domestic and regional international routes across East Asia and Southeast Asia. Founded in 1946, it is one of the oldest continuously operating airlines in the Korean Peninsula, originally established during the post‑war reconstruction period to provide essential air transport across the region.
Today, Joseon Air maintains primary hubs at Incheon International Airport and Gimhae International Airport, with a growing Southeast Asian presence through its Singapore‑based subsidiary HorizonAir.
History Founding and Early Operations (1946–1960) Joseon Air Lines was founded in 1946 as Korea’s first civilian air carrier, operating small propeller aircraft on domestic routes between Seoul, Busan, and Jeju. The airline played a key role in rebuilding national transportation infrastructure during the post‑war era, gradually expanding into regional flights to Japan and Taiwan.
Modernization and Jet Era (1960–1990) During the 1960s and 1970s, Joseon Air transitioned to jet aircraft, introducing Boeing 707s and later 727s. The airline expanded its network across East Asia and became known for its traditional Korean branding and hospitality‑focused service model.
By the late 1980s, Joseon Air had established itself as a mid‑sized regional carrier with a stable domestic network and growing international presence.
Contemporary Development (1990–2026) From the 1990s onward, Joseon Air modernized its fleet, introduced new cabin products, and expanded operations at Incheon International Airport. The airline continued to emphasize cultural branding, adopting deep blue and white colour schemes inspired by Korean heritage.
In January 2026, Joseon Air resumed international operations after a multi‑year pause, marking a significant milestone in its recovery and expansion strategy.
Subsidiaries HorizonAir (Singapore) Founded in 2026, HorizonAir is Joseon Air Lines’ Singapore‑based subsidiary designed to operate short‑haul Southeast Asian routes. HorizonAir provides regional feed into Joseon Air Lines’ Incheon hub and supports leisure‑focused markets such as Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Penang.