Many people choose to fly on low-cost carriers because of their competitive prices. But are budget airlines really cheaper? Maybe not… especially these days, during the peak travel season. Lee Hee-jung joins me in the studio with the details.

Airline tickets can take up a big portion of travel expenses. The idea to lessen that burden resulted in the creation of low-cost carriers. Today, budget airline companies account for 50 percent of all domestic flights.

[slug]
One budget carrier charges extra for buying tickets at airport

But are low-cost carriers really cheaper than other airlines?

One budget carrier charges an extra 5,000 won for last-minute purchases at the airport.
They say the measure is to encourage people to book in advance through their website or mobile app.

[INTERVIEW]
Airline company worker
We want to minimize ticketing at the airport and encourage people to book through either our mobile app, website, or call center.
<씽크 : 항공사 관계자>
"현장발권을 줄이고 모바일이나 인터넷, 콜센터를 통해서 예약을 유도하기 위해서.."

We asked some passengers what they thought about using low-cost carriers compared to other airlines.

[INTERVIEW]
Kim Jae-kyung / Tourist
Peak season prices are so high. There’s no difference.
<인터뷰 : 김재경/ 관광객>
"성수기라 너무 비싸요. 가격 차이가 없어요."

[INTERVIEW]
Kim Jeom-soon / Tourist
In terms of prices, maybe because it’s peak season, there’s no difference.
<인터뷰 : 김점순/관광객>
"가격면에서 성수기라서 그런지 가격이 차이가 없어요."

[INTERVIEW]
Park Ha-neul / Tourist
If there’s no difference in price, it’s better to use other airlines. It’s safer...
<인터뷰 : 박하늘/관광객>
금액 차이가 없다면
일반항공(대형항공)을 이용하는 게 낫죠. 안전하니까..


An air ticket on a budget carrier from Jeju to Seoul costs 93,000 won.
If you add the 3,300 won fuel surcharge and 4,000 won airport tax… and make a seat assignment, which is an additional 3,000 to 5,000 won...

The total cost comes to 105,300 won.
A flight on a larger airline in the same timeslot costs 114,300 won. That’s just a 9,000 won difference.


The cheap tickets advertised by budget airlines usually only apply to early morning and nighttime flights.

Without the extra discount, there’s little difference in the prices of low-cost carriers and larger airlines.

[INTERVIEW]
Kim Jae-gyeong / Tourist
It’s too expensive. There’s no point in calling it a budget airline.
<인터뷰 : 김재경/관광객>
너무 비싸요. 저가항공의 의미가 없어요. 일반인들이 생각하기에는…

[camera]
Kim Yong-min

[REPORTER]
Lee Hee-jung

Unless you book way in advance, it’s hard to take advantage of the cheaper tickets offered at budget airlines.

For low-cost carriers to live up to their namesake, measures are needed to ensure more competitive prices.