Korean Airlines will postpone plans for the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747-8 amid ongoing delays in deliveries of new aircraft.
Airline Chief Waltercho says that South Korea will continue to operate two aircraft types “until they acquire a new plane,” but will stop revealing the timeline.
Cho was speaking at a briefing in Seoul. There, South Korean Airlines announced its new corporate identity two years later, ahead of its merger with its compatriot Asiana Airlines.
Outlining the range of delays, Cho says SkyTeam operators are “about 20 aircraft shorter” from their previous targets, and have the ability to influence aircraft retirements and expand their capabilities.
The airline holds orders for Airbus and Boeing aircraft, including the A321neo, A350S, 787S, 737 Max, and 777-9.
“As soon as we get these new aircraft, the older (747 and A380) will be phased out,” Cho says. The airline previously indicated that the A380 would begin departing from the fleet from 2025 after operating for more than 12 years, but Cho has confirmed that plans have been postponed indefinitely.
Airline business data shows that South Korea operates seven A380s.
Cho admitted to “sacrificing” the old four-engine jet to the airline, but said “even some of the new and newly developed aircraft in the fleet have not met their efficiency promises.”
Korean is “discussing with the manufacturer” on such issues, says Cho. Cho emphasizes that he has “full faith” on both Airbus and Boeing in solving these delays.
The airline will be in a two-year process of integrating with its auxiliary Asiana Airlines, which has successfully completed its acquisition in late 2024.
