South Korea’s newest regional airline, SUM Air, has placed an order for four ATR 72-600 aircraft, with options for a further four units, as it looks to expand operations across domestic and regional markets.
The agreement, which includes deliveries from 2028, was signed during the France–Korea bilateral economic forum in Seoul, attended by the French President, Emmanuel Macron.
SUM Air began commercial operations in March 2026 using a leased ATR 72-600 aircraft from Avation.
The airline was founded in 2022 and received its air operator certificate on 10 March 2026, following more than three years of preparation, including staff training, safety validation and aircraft integration.
The carrier is targeting underserved regions within South Korea, including future island airports, while also planning to develop short-haul international routes to neighbouring countries such as Japan and China.
The aircraft are manufactured by ATR, which has identified South Korea as a market with significant growth potential for regional aviation. The manufacturer forecasts a future fleet of between 25 and 30 ATR 72 aircraft in the country in the coming years.
SUM Air’s order reflects expectations of increased demand for regional connectivity and supports ATR’s view that turboprop aircraft are well suited to South Korea’s geography and route structure.