With agile decision-making, Korean Air minimizes potential losses
Korean Air is proving its resilience with agile decision-making at a time of global aviation uncertainty.
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| Korean Air is the only airline in Korea and abroad to report a surplus for nine consecutive quarters from the second quarter of 2020 despite the global pandemic shock. |
The company is the only airline here and abroad to report a surplus for nine consecutive quarters from the second quarter of 2020 despite the global pandemic shock.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the company focused on enhancing its in-flight safety to ease customer concerns over the rapidly spreading infectious disease.
Care First, an integrated hygiene program created by Korean Air, provided comprehensive guidance to customers, raising awareness of hygiene activities at each stage of air travel.
The airline produced videos demonstrating its commitment to preventing the spread of the pandemic. Via the safe air circulation system on flights, the carrier helped minimize the spread of the virus in-flight and further ease passenger concerns.
Critically, the company minimized potential losses from its passenger jet business by placing a more strategic focus on cargo planes during the pandemic era. It utilized its fleet of large cargo aircraft and even transformed passenger jets into cargo planes.
In recognition of its agile decision-making, the company was named the 2021 Airline of the Year by Air Transport World, an award known colloquially as the "Oscars of the global aviation industry." It also won the 2022 Cargo Operator of the Year award in June 2022.
For the time being, Korean Air is accelerating efforts to resume its passenger routes. To differentiate itself from its rivals, the company plans to launch new services for its customers in line with growing travel demand.
Of note is the carrier's new in-flight menu. Dishes like grilled mackerel and pork belly with lettuce wraps, introduced in March 2022, won positive responses from its customers. In addition, the company has offered Korean dishes such as bulgogi rice cakes, as well as Chinese-style dishes such as jjamppong, or spicy noodles with seafood.
Korean Air became the first airline to win certification for Customer-Centered Management from the Fair Trade Commission in December 2020. The company is standing at the forefront of developing diverse customer-oriented services, such as baggage loading notifications, mileage combined payments and a Korean-English chatbot.
In another bold step, the company began working to acquire Asiana Airlines in November 2020 when the pandemic shock reached its peak. Korean Air aims to strengthen its capabilities to lead the global aviation industry after winning overseas approvals for the takeover.
(Source: Korea Times)
