More passengers complaining about budget carriers

Complaints filed against low-cost carriers greatly outnumbered those against full-service carriers, data showed Wednesday.

According to data submitted by the Korea Consumer Agency to a lawmaker Wednesday, the agency took corrective measures for a total of 337 complaints filed against airlines last year, with just 136 of them related to full-service carriers Asiana Airlines and Korean Air.

Between October 2015 and March 2016, 60.3 percent of the 446 complaints filed in relation to airline services were related to low-cost airlines.

Foreign low-cost carriers made up over half of those complaints. According to the KCA, consumers have more trouble lodging complaints with foreign carriers because many of them only offer online customer service.

The largest number of complaints were over flight service contracts or unexpected charges.

“When flying with a low-cost carrier, it is important to check cancellation or baggage fees in order to avoid disputes,” the agency said.

Low-cost carriers have been rapidly expanding their reach in Korea, with local budget carriers flying over 100 million passengers since they began service 11 years ago.

According to data from Incheon International Airport Corp., budget carriers flew nearly one-fifth of all international passengers in June, a 4.4 percentage point on-year increase. The latest low-cost carrier, Asiana Airlines affiliate Air Seoul, began operations in July.

By Won Ho-jung (hjwon@heraldcorp.com)