Aisana Considers Purchase of
Next-Generation
Airliners for Long-Haul Flights

CEO Kang reaffirms his determination to take the second leap during the 20th anniversary ceremony

Asiana Airlines President Kang Joo-an said his airline will expand mid- and long-haul schedules and push the construction of an IT structure and hangers in an effort to build up its infrastructure for future growth and stronger competitiveness.
Kang said in a speech during the ceremony to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the airline at its head office on Feb. 15, "We are striving to build up a solid foundation to take the second leap by selecting and importing next-generation airliners considered to be the most suitable for our company."Asiana will finalize the purchase of such next-generation models as A380s and 787s within the first half of this year and make an aggressive foray into such long-haul routes as Europe and the Americas, a shift from their former focus on the short- and mid-haul flights to China, Japan and Southeast Asia.
Kang was upbeat about Asiana's acquisition of a controlling stake in Busan International Air,
to be renamed Air Busan. "Asiana Airlines decided to make investments into Air Busan in order to beef up a competitive edge in the aviation market and expand a business foundation in the Busan area, and it is a significant decision to set new watersheds in its 20-year corporate history." "Air Busan will be an airline with a competitive edge that make profits through cost innovations by capitalizing on our strong points -- world-class service and safety -- and all of our departments will work together to put Air Busan on the right track,"he said.
During the anniversary ceremony, Asiana announced a plan to import an additional seven airliners to raise its fleet to 72 by the end of the year, raise the number of airliners with audio and video on demand (AVOD) from its current six to 15 and replace all in-flight utensils on international routes with new ones by April.
In celebration of the anniversary, Asiana will hold diverse events, including passing out gifts to all passengers aboard flights departing from Korea for a week from Feb. 17.
Kang said, "This year will be a significant year to launch a new leap toward becoming a company continuously running for 500 years."He said Asiana aims to surpass 4 trillion won in sales, post a surplus for the fifth straight year and raise its credit rating to BBB+.
Asiana was awarded a five-star airline certificate for the second straight year by Skytrax. The national flag carrier plans to provide differentiated services to retain the five-star status while making efforts to maintain its position as an airline with the best services and safety based on the Safety Management System it introduced this past January. nw

(from top photo) Asiana Airlines plans to purchase next-generation airliners for long-haul flights and upgrade its flight utensils. Kumho-Asiana Chairman Park Sam-koo shakes hands with Busan Mayor Hur Nam-sik and others after agreeing on the airline's acquisition of a controlling stake in Air Busan to enter the low=priced aviation market.