Korean Air is on the brink of a significant expansion, eyeing the acquisition of approximately 20 A350 wide-body jets from Airbus, a move highlighted as the airline prepares for its forthcoming merger with Asiana Airlines. This strategic step, reported by Bloomberg News, shows Korean Air’s commitment to streamlining operations and enhancing its global service offerings.
In anticipation of the merger with Asiana Airlines, Korean Air’s CEO, Walter Cho, shared insights during a February interview with the airline industry body IATA on the need for fleet simplification. Post-merger, Korean Air will boast an extensive mix of aircraft and engine types, presenting a unique challenge in fleet management. The potential acquisition of A350 aircraft from Airbus is seen as a move to address this challenge, aiming to simplify and modernize the fleet for more efficient operations.
The decision on this substantial order hinges on the outcomes of a board meeting scheduled for March 21. While the deal’s finalization is still in the air, the acquisition could mark a step forward for Korean Air, already known for its diverse fleet comprising both Boeing and Airbus aircraft.
A Strategic Move Amid Regulatory Approvals
The merger with Asiana Airlines, valued at approximately $1.4 billion, has already received approval from competition authorities in 13 of 14 jurisdictions. Korean Air now awaits the decision from the U.S. to complete the merger, with CEO Walter Cho expressing confidence in a positive outcome by the end of the year.
Should the A350 order proceed, Korean Air will further diversify its fleet, potentially operating every Airbus family model. This includes the A220-300 from the A220 family, A321neo from the A320 family, A330-300 from the A330 family, and potentially the A350 family, alongside the A380, which Korean Air may decide to continue operating.
Korean Air’s spokesperson mentioned that the company could not provide specific comments on the matter at this time. However, the potential acquisition and the upcoming merger with Asiana Airlines highlight Korean Air’s ambitious growth strategy and its focus on optimizing its fleet to better serve its global customer base.
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