Jin Air, the premium short-haul carrier established in 2008 by Korean Air, will start its inaugural international flights in October this year to cities in China and Thailand.

The carrier said it plans to keep ticket prices at approximately 80 per cent of those charged by other legacy carriers on the same route. Jin Air will operate a total of five Boeing 737-800 aircraft by purchasing one in April and another later this year.

The carrier is targeting 90 billion won (US$65 million) in sales revenue this year, a dramatic increase from last year’s 10 billion won. By 2010, three years since its establishment, Jin Air aims to fly high as Asia’s leading premium short-haul carrier by reaching operating profit with 160 billion won in sales.

The carrier currently operates 32 flights per day on its domestic routes.