Airbus reports today, April 2, that South Korean airline Korean Air has effectively become a new customer for the A350 family, with the signing of a large firm order for 33 aircraft, covering 27 units of the A350-1000 and six from the A350-900.
The company had already signaled its decision just over 10 days ago that it would actually order wide-body jets from Airbus, in a deal valued at US$13.7 billion, and now the companies have signed the agreement.
This acquisition initiative comes as Korean Air strategically prepares to retire older aircraft from service, aligning with its long-term sustainability goals. The A350’s additional range will also allow the airline to evaluate new long-haul destinations.
“The A350’s exceptional range, fuel efficiency and passenger comfort make it a great fit for our global network”said Jason Yoo, chief safety and operations officer and executive vice president of Korean Air. “We are confident that the introduction of the A350 to our fleet will drive operational efficiency and elevate the overall travel experience for our passengers.”
Korean Air also evaluated the possibility of acquiring aircraft from the Boeing 777X family. However, in 2021, CEO Walter Cho stated that there would likely not be enough demand to justify an order for yet another entirely new type of aircraft for its fleet.
With information from Airbus
