SAN FRANCISCO, July 23 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's Jeju Air Monday took delivery of a Next-Generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft from the U.S. top aircraft manufacturer, making Jeju Air the first low-cost carrier in the country to own and operate the new Boeing jet model.
At a delivery ceremony held in Seattle, Washington state on the U.S. west coast, Jeju Air President and CEO said the "milestone delivery marks the beginning of a new era for Jeju Air as we continue to revolutionize Korea's dynamic commercial aviation industry."
He said the addition of the new airplane will help his company expand its fleet and play an role in its growth strategy.
The delivery marks the first of three Next-Generation 737-800s the South Korean airline has on order with Boeing, said the U.S. aircraft giant Monday.
Boeing said it has established an "intimate partnership" with Jeju Air for over 10 years and will continue to grow such a relationship in the future.
Based in Jeju Island, South Korea, the all-Boeing Jeju Air operates a fleet of 34 Next-Generation 737-800 airplanes. It currently serves 40 domestic and international routes with approximately 150 daily flights, including Japan, China, Russia, the Mariana Islands, and various Southeast Asian countries.
Jeju Air is a founding member of the Value Alliance, the first pan-regional low-cost carrier alliance formed in 2016 comprising of eight airlines based in Asia.