Airbus A330-200 aircraft of Parata Air. Photo courtesy of Parata Air
South Korea’s Parata Air is poised to enter the North American market after securing tentative approval from the U.S. government for flights to the United States.
The U.S. Department of Transportation said Tuesday that it has granted the Korean airline an exemption, allowing it to begin passenger and cargo services between South Korea and the United States for up to two years.
Charter flights involving the two countries, as well as select third-country routes, will also be permitted under the measure.
Parata Air applied for the preliminary green light late last year. If it seeks to continue flying U.S. routes beyond January 2028, the company must obtain a formal permit from the Department of Transportation.
“A grant of Parata Air’s application for a foreign air carrier exemption and permit is in the public interest given that Parata Air’s represents the continued emergence of independent, self-sustained business institutions capable of operating in developing market conditions,” the DOT said in the approval.
“Moreover, this application fosters open business, allows additional services to be rendered to the public, and fosters the relationship with an ally nation. Parata Air is fit, willing and able to perform the services for which the authority requested herein is sought,” it added.
The agency noted that Parata Air came up with plans to commence long-haul services this March for the 2026 summer season, linking South Korea’s Incheon International Airport with Las Vegas and Los Angeles.
However, Parata Air told UPI that it has yet to finalize a precise launch schedule and said U.S. routes would not begin in the first half of this year. The firm also said that at least three Airbus A330-200 aircraft will be deployed for U.S. operations.
Parata Air has already secured two Airbus A330-200s, and one more will be delivered in the coming months.
According to global travel data provider OAG, Korean Air operates the largest number of flights on South Korea-U.S. routes, followed by Delta Air Lines, Asiana Airlines and Air Premia.
Parata Air, formerly known as Fly Gangwon, was founded in 2016 as a low-cost carrier. In 2024, South Korea’s home appliance manufacturer, Winix, acquired the company to introduce a new brand name derived from the Korean word for clear blue sky.
It currently operates two domestic routes and five international routes from Incheon to destinations in Japan and Vietnam.
