South Korean cargo airline Incheon Air is seeking approval to begin operations to several U.S. destinations from mid-2025.
The expansion stems from plans to acquire Asiana Airlines' cargo business as part of last year's merger between Asiana Airlines and Korean Air.
Founded in 2012, Incheon Air began operations with the Boeing 737-400 freighter, then introduced the 767-300ER in 2018, followed by a batch of 737-800s.
However, Asiana's sale of its cargo business includes cargo planes, slots and traffic rights, meaning Incheon Air will be able to expand its long-haul routes.
Incheon Air is proposing to offer scheduled service from Seoul to Anchorage to Chicago, and from there to Dallas to Seattle and Atlanta.
The airline is also considering flights from Seoul to Los Angeles to San Francisco, and from Seoul to Anchorage to New York JFK and Brussels.
These routes will primarily be operated by Boeing 747-400 freighters, with the possibility of using 767s on the Los Angeles leg.
Incheon Air has notified the US Department of Transportation that it plans to begin operations on July 1st.
As a result of the deal with Asiana, the airline said it will become South Korea's second-largest cargo airline.
Incheon Air has identified 10 747-400 freighters and one 767-300 aircraft, which it plans to integrate after completing the Asiana business acquisition.
As part of its U.S. application, Incheon Air is also seeking permission for on-demand charter flights.
