Business · Companies · 2 hrs ago
Eastar Jet’s Manado route carries about 90,000 passengers in its first year
South Korean airline Eastar Jet carried about 90,000 passengers on its Incheon–Manado route in the year after it began flying on October 26, 2025.
The airline says it operated more than 600 flights on the route, which it was the first and remains the only airline to serve.
Manado is an Indonesian holiday destination known for natural sites including Bunaken National Marine Park, Mount Mahawu and Tangkoko National Park.
The route initially had load factors in the 50% range, but demand rose sharply from June as travelers spread the word.
From June to September, monthly load factors ranged from 89% to 96%, and the route became a scheduled service in September after previously operating as an irregular service.
Eastar Jet is offering discounted fares and local activity deals through October 29 to mark the route’s first anniversary.
The company expects more visitors as local tourism services, including hotels and dive shops, expand.
Eastar Jet said its Incheon–Manado route had carried about 90,000 passengers in its first year.
The airline has operated more than 600 flights on the route since its launch.
Monthly load factors rose to 93% in June, 95% in July and 96% in August, before reaching 89% in September.
Eastar Jet said it changed the route from irregular service to scheduled flights in September.
The airline attributed rising demand to recommendations from travellers who had visited Manado.
- Who
- Eastar Jet and passengers on its Incheon–Manado route.
- What
- The route carried about 90,000 passengers in its first year, across more than 600 flights.
- When
- The route launched on October 26, 2025. The one-year passenger figure was reported on October 27, 2026.
- Where
- Between Incheon, South Korea, and Manado, Indonesia.
- Why
- Demand increased after travellers spread the word about Manado. The airline said the destination was attracting interest as a holiday spot.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Eastar Jet launched its Incheon–Manado route.
Demand increased sharply, and the route’s monthly load factor reached 93%.
Eastar Jet converted the route from irregular flights to scheduled service.
Eastar Jet reported that the route had carried about 90,000 passengers in its first year.
- Passengers
- About 90,000 in the route’s first year
- Flights
- More than 600
- Route
- Incheon–Manado
- August load factor
- 96%
- September service
- Converted to scheduled flights
What people are saying
Manado, which was not well known in Korea, is drawing attention as a new holiday destination through travellers’ interest and word of mouth
Local tourism infrastructure, including hotels and dive shops, is also expanding, so we expect more travellers to visit Manado in the future