Korean Air to expand fleet
Korean Air is embarking on a major fleet expansion plan in 2013.
This year, the Seoul-based national carrier will introduce seven brand new passenger aircraft to its fleet; two Airbus A380s, one A330-200, two Boeing 777-300ERs and two B737-900ERs.
The arrival of the addition two A380s in July and October 2013, will bring Korean Air’s total fleet of superjumbos to eight. These A380s will be deployed on long-haul routes to destinations including New York and Los Angeles.
Already this month, the A380 frequency between Seoul Incheon and New York JFK airport has been doubled from seven to 14 flights per week, while the A380 services between Incheon and Los Angeles has been raised from seven to 12 weekly flights.
Then on 1 February 2013, Korean Air will resume the A380 service between Incheon and Frankfurt and in August, the airline will commence the first A380 service between Incheon and the world’s busiest airport – Atlanta.
Korean Air has introduced 30 new aircraft in the past two years – 16 in 2011 and 14 in 2012. The airline now plans to take delivery of 53 aircraft including five brand new B747-8 Intercontinentals and 10 B787-9 Dreamliners by 2018.
As of January 2013, Korean Air’s fleet numbered 148 aircraft, but by 2019 the airline aims to reach the milestone of 200 aircraft.