Air Busan is a South Korean low-cost carrier based in Busan, launched in 2008 as a subsidiary of Asiana Airlines. The airline’s visual identity centers on a seagull symbol, a motif drawn directly from the port city of Busan, where the seagull is a well-known local emblem.
Design and History
Air Busan unveiled its corporate identity (CI) in June 2008, ahead of its first flight in October of that year. The logo was described at the time as a flapping seagull whose wings resemble blue ocean waves, combining the sea, the seagull and the sky into a single image. An Air Busan official said the dynamic seagull motif represented the airline’s “hope to fly to the world.” The seagull was chosen because it is a symbol of the port city of Busan, referenced in a popular local song, “Busan Galmaegi” (Busan Seagull).[1]
The Dong-a Ilbo newspaper also reported on the logo’s confirmation in June 2008, describing it as a dynamic image of a seagull soaring in harmony with ocean waves.[2]
When Air Busan revealed its first aircraft and crew uniforms in October 2008, the livery featured the carrier’s logo on the tail, consisting of a seagull, sea wave and sky. The fuselage was painted in four colors: navy blue, light blue, lime green and white pearl.[3][4]
Meaning and Symbolism
Air Busan’s official CI description states that the symbol depicts a lively seagull flapping its wings energetically in harmony with ocean waves. The design combines three elements of Busan: the sea, the seagull and the sky, expressed as a single image. The seagull, which symbolizes Busan, is paired with a wordmark that emphasizes “Busan,” together expressing Air Busan’s hope and desire to become a global company and meet customer expectations.[5]
The official description also notes that the design visualizes the powerful wings of a seagull as the most significant motif expressing the Air Busan brand image, maximizing the airline’s vision.[5]
Typography and Design
Air Busan’s official CI page describes the wordmark as emphasizing “BUSAN” in harmony with the seagull symbol. The airline also developed additional motifs to make the logo and its applications easier to utilize across various uses beyond the primary logo.[5]
The 2008 aircraft livery used navy blue, light blue, lime green and white pearl colors, with the navy blue and light blue representing the sea and sky of Busan, and the lime green emphasizing the young airline’s image.[4]
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