Air Seoul to take off in July

Air Seoul, Asiana Airlines' second budget carrier, will likely begin operations as early as July, entering the country's increasingly competitive LCC market, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Monday. The company, set up to take over Asiana's unprofitable domestic and short-distance international routes, is widely expected to receive an AOC from the ministry next month. Air Seoul plans to fly on the Gimpo-Jeju and other domestic routes, currently operated by its parent firm, as soon as it is licensed. A spokesman said the airline expects it will take about 3 months for the carrier to get aviation approval from foreign countries, adding that it will serve Korean and non-Korean passengers flying between Korea and other Asian nations in October. <br/>