Air Seoul, a new low-cost carrier of Asiana Airlines Inc., could get government approval for operations early next month if it successfully passes two simulated emergency tests.

The two tests are meant to train crew members on how to evacuate a plane in case of an emergency landing.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport could issue an Air Operator Certificate to Air Seoul as early as July 7 if the carrier passes the two simulated tests, said Kang Seung-ho, an official handling the issue at the ministry.

Winning the certificate is the final step before a carrier can begin its transport operations.

Air Seoul said it plans to fly to and from Okinawa, Qingdao and 14 other destinations in five countries, though it said it plans to unveil details of its domestic operations after winning the certificate.

The budget carrier, a wholly owned unit of Asiana Airlines, is set to lease three Airbus A321-200s from South Korea's second-largest airline.

Air Seoul is the second airline subsidiary of Asiana Airlines which already operates Air Busan.

There are also four other low-cost airlines in Korea. (Yonhap)