Korean Air Pushes for Partial Return of Foreign Pilots Amid Full Cargo Operations... Union 'Opposes'

Strong Outlook for Air Cargo Market Next Year
Additional Cargo Pilots Needed
Union "Priority for Nationals" Opposes

On the 26th, when KDB Industrial Bank and Korea Eximbank finalized the plan to support Korean Air with 1.2 trillion won, Korean Air passenger planes were parked at the Gimpo Airport apron in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Yu Je-hoon] Korean Air is pushing for the return of some foreign pilots currently on unpaid leave in preparation for the increasing demand for cargo transportation. However, domestic pilots, including the pilots' union, are opposing this move.

According to industry sources on the 20th, Korean Air is in discussions regarding the return of some foreign pilots of B747 and B777 aircraft who are currently on unpaid leave. Earlier, due to the widespread suspension of international flights caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Korean Air had placed foreign pilots on unpaid leave earlier this year.

However, with the global suspension of passenger flights due to COVID-19 causing a sharp decline in air cargo supply and a surge in air freight rates, Korean Air captains qualified to operate B747 and B777 aircraft have been deployed without any downtime. In particular, Korean Air expects the air cargo market to remain strong next year, and thus anticipates the need for additional cargo pilots.

Korean Air is considering bringing back some foreign pilots who were on leave to ensure timely deployment, as retraining pilots of other aircraft types to operate B747 and B777 models would require an additional six months or so.

The union is opposing this, insisting that "domestic pilots should have priority." They are also demanding a change in the current three-pilot system?operated by two captains and one first officer?to a system operated by one captain and two first officers.

The company states that this proposal is difficult to accept due to safety concerns. A company official said, "This operational system was introduced after an accident involving a foreign airline several years ago," adding, "It is related to safety operations, including the ability to respond to emergencies, so it is difficult to accept."