South Korea-based low-cost carrier (LCC) Eastar Jet has become the fifth airline to join the first North Asian U-FLY Alliance of low-cost carriers.

The group was formed in January 2016 by Hainan Airlines' four subsidiaries Hong Kong Express Airlines, Kunming-based Lucky Air, Urumqi Airlines and Chongqing-based West Air. The new alliance is looking to extend regional coverage through the new Eastar connections as well as extend LCC services.

Eastar, which operates out of its Gimpo, South Korea hub, is the first carrier in the alliance not related to the Hainan-based HNA Group.

The new membership from Eastar will give the alliance better network access to secondary Korean destinations such as Gimpo, Cheongju and Gunsan as well as to major destinations like Busan, Jeju and Seoul.

Local media also reported that Lucky Air is looking to expand its operations to international destinations including the U.S. West Coast and Moscow by end 2016.

"With Eastar Jet on board [the alliance], we will be able to expand [our] reach to 197 destinations and link up ... with hard-to-reach places all over South Korea and Northern Asia," U-FLY Alliance CEO Andrew Cowen said.

Eastar operates 17 Boeing 737 aircraft, with two more scheduled for delivery by end 2017.