Korean Air celebrates 30 years of connecting Korea and China
By Airline Ratings Mon Dec 23, 2024
Korean Air has celebrated 30 years of connecting Korea and China with commemorative events at four major Chinese airports across its network.
On December 22, the airline hosted passenger appreciation events at Beijing Capital International Airport and Shenyang Taoxian International Airport. The 30th passengers to check in on flight KE2202 from Beijing Capital to Seoul Gimpo, and flight KE832 from Shenyang to Seoul Incheon received round-trip Prestige Class tickets to Korea. All passengers received 30th anniversary commemorative tote bags.
The celebrations will continue on December 24 at Tianjin Binhai International Airport and Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport, with special events planned for passengers on flights KE806 (Tianjin-Seoul Incheon) and KE846 (Qingdao-Seoul Incheon).
"These past three decades have been dedicated to building stronger links between China and South Korea, with service and safety excellence as our priority," said Yohan Park, Korean Air's Regional Director for China. "We're committed to strengthening these ties and growing our presence across China."
The airline launched its China operations on December 22, 1994 with the Seoul-Beijing route, followed by services to Tianjin and Qingdao on December 24, and Shenyang on December 27. Korean Air now operates 27 routes to 21 Chinese cities, achieving approximately 95% of pre-pandemic capacity compared to December 2019 levels.
The airline's commitment extends beyond aviation through various initiatives. Since 2008, its "Ai Xin Ji Hua" (愛心計劃) project has supported educational development through donations of learning materials and resources to Chinese students. As part of its environmental commitment, Korean Air has planted 1.57 million trees in Inner Mongolia's Kubuqi Desert since 2007, contributing to regional conservation efforts and strengthening bilateral ties.
Korean Air has also provided humanitarian support across China, from flood relief in Hubei Province in 1998 to emergency aid after the Sichuan earthquake in 2008, including student visits to Jeju Island, and medical supply donations to Wuhan during the early stages of COVID-19 in 2020.
These contributions have earned Korean Air recognition in China, including the Most Beloved Foreign Airline Award in 2010, Sky Choice Awards for Best In-flight Service in 2022, and the Voyage Awards for Best In-flight Innovation Service in 2023. The airline’s extensive network in China underscores its long-term commitment to the market, with plans for continued expansion and service enhancements between the two countries.
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