South Korea’s Parata Air Targets U.S. Market
South Korea’s Parata Air has applied to the U.S. Transportation Department (DOT) for a foreign air carrier permit and exemption authority, seeking approval to begin scheduled and charter services between South Korea and the U.S.
South Korea’s Parata Air has applied to the U.S. Transportation Department (DOT) for a foreign air carrier permit and exemption authority, seeking approval to begin scheduled and charter services between South Korea and the U.S.
The LCC, which recently restructured from the former Fly Gangwon, hopes to commence operations for the 2026 summer season.
The company says it intends to launch flights on two initial routes—Seoul Incheon-Las Vegas and Seoul Incheon-Los Angeles—using Airbus A330-200 aircraft. Parata Air is wholly owned by Winix, the South Korean business that acquired the bankrupt Fly Gangwon in 2024 and re-registered it under the new name.
The carrier received a new air operator certificate on Sept. 8 and commenced commercial operations Sept. 30. According to OAG Schedules Analyser data, Parata Air currently offers two domestic routes—Jeju-Seoul Gimpo and Jeju-Yangyang—and plans to add services to Japan and Vietnam in 2026.
The airline’s fleet comprises one A320-200 and one A330-200, CAPA – Centre for Aviation’s Fleet Database shows.
The Seoul Incheon-Las Vegas market is currently served by Korean Air daily, while the Seoul Incheon-Los Angeles route is operated by Air Premia 9X-weekly, Asiana Airlines 14X-weekly, and Korean Air 14X-weekly, OAG Schedules Analyser data shows.
Fly Gangwon suspended all services in May 2023 due to financial difficulties and entered corporate rehabilitation proceedings before being acquired by Winix.
The DOT has invited comments on Parata Air’s application by Nov. 7 for exemption authority and Nov. 13 for the foreign carrier permit.
