Korean Air to grow global network by ordering larger aircraft

KOREAN Air is adding nine more next-generation aircraft to its fleet in 2013. They are: two Airbus A380s, one A330-200, two Boeing 777-300ERs, two B737-900ERs, one B747-8F and one B777F.

The arrival of the two A380s in July and October 2013 will bring the number of A380s in its fleet to eight. The carrier announced it will mostly deploy these super jumbos on long-haul flights, including New York and Los Angeles.

In January, the A380 frequency between Incheon-New York was doubled from seven to 14 flights a week. The frequency of the A380 operation between Incheon-LA was also increased from seven to 12 flights a week over the same period.

The airline plans to raise A380 operational frequency on busy routes during high seasons, such as in August or December in order to meet demand, it says.

February 1 will see a resumption of the A380 service between Incheon-Frankfurt, and in August, the airline will begin its A380 service between Incheon and Atlanta.

The carrier introduced 30 aircraft during 2011 and 2012, and plans to take delivery of a total of 53 aircraft, including five B747-8s, ten B787-9s and ten CS300s by 2018.

As of January 2013, its fleet numbered 148 aircraft. By the time of its 50th anniversary in 2019, it aims is to have 200 aircraft.