Hanjin Group Chairman Cho Won-tae. (Photos: Korean Air)

Hanjin Group Chairman Cho Won-tae is calling for Korean Air to abandon the conventional mold, seizing a crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity of innovation.

Chairman Cho made the remarks while delivering his commemorative speech on the occasion of the 52nd anniversary of Korean Air, posted on the bulletin board of its in-house intranet.

“Even though the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a troubled situation, it is true that it has also served as an opportunity for us to change,” he said.

In times like this when survival is threatened, talking about something like ‘innovation’ can sound strange, Chairman Cho said, there has never been a more important time than now to do it.

Chairman Cho, who expressed his determination to implement companywide innovation, stressed a need for changing the company’s corporate culture.

He called for an organization filled with creativity and dynamics, focusing on core sectors based on flexibility. He wants everyone to respect diversity among the rank and file and communicate with each other in a transparent fashion.

As for Korean Air’s acquisition of Asiana Airlines, Chairman Cho expressed the hope Korean Air will concentrate its capabilities to make the two airliners fly together in a vigorous fashion by successfully taking over the latter. H

e urged his executives and staff members to devote themselves to contributing to the Korean aviation industry in compliance with a greater mission of unifying the two airlines.

He extended thanks to his executives and staff, who have endured a hard time.

“We’re made our utmost to cope with the worst-ever situation, and we’ve proved our potential and capabilities to the world,” Chairman Cho said.

“I’m always giving whole-heartedly thanks to my executives and staff members who have not spared efforts and sacrifices at their own areas,” he said.

Cho pledged to lead innovation so the airline can ascend in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era. He said, “I hope our efforts and endurance bear fruit soon, and we can share them abundantly.”

Cargoes of Pfizer’s vaccine against COVID-19 are unloaded from Korean Air flight KE9926 on Feb. 25.

Korean Air & Asiana Covert 16 Passenger Craft into Cargo Planes

Korean Air and Asiana Airlines have been making all-out efforts to expand the cargo business.

Cargo demand has been surging since the second half of last year, and it will take time for the travel industry to bounce back to normal despite the global supply of vaccines against the COVID-19 pandemic.

All cargo planes have been operated at a full capacity, and passenger planes whose seats are removed for loading cargo have been also deployed.

Business sources said Korean and Asiana Airlines have put into operation 16 temporary converted cargo planes so far since last September — 14 aircraft from Korean Air and four from Asiana Airline.

It was last September that Korean Air converted two Boeing 777’s into cargo planes. Eight more passenger aircraft were remodeled into cargo planes.

Korean Air ranked 2nd in the 2021 USA Today top 10 awards each in the best cabin crew and best in-flight meal categories and placed third in the category of best business and first-class seat.