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Korean Air readies aircraft for increased international flying
April 19th 2022
Korean Air (KAL) is preparing to return more aircraft to international routes in line with the South Korean government's reopening of the country's international border. Read More » The SkyTeam alliance co-founder held an aircraft cleaning event at its Seoul Incheon airport hangar on April 18. The fuselage, landing gear, wings, engines and other components of a 747-8I were given a thorough cleansing. "While the airline regularly performs aircraft cleaning, today’s event is more symbolic for Korean Air as it readies to welcome customers who have been waiting to travel abroad once again," KAL said. "Korean Air is making efforts to return its operations to pre-pandemic levels following the rebound in air travel demand. In line with the government’s plan to reopen international routes, the airline will gradually restore suspended routes and flights as it meticulously prepares for increased operations and enhanced levels of customer service."
Separately, at a ceremony in Los Angeles, KAL will today mark the 50th anniversary of its first service to the U.S. On April 19, 1972, a Korean Air 171-seat Boeing 707 took off from Seoul Gimpo Airport for the west coast of the U.S., stopping at Tokyo and Honolulu before landing in Los Angeles. The SkyTeam carrier now flies out of 13 gateways across North America and also operates a trans-Pacific joint venture with Delta Air Lines.
