Hanjin Group Chairman Cho Won-tae (pictured) announced that the world’s largest passenger aircraft, the A380, will be suspended within five years. The purpose of this project is to improve efficiency and economic feasibility by arranging extra-large aircraft, which are costly and low in profitability, and increasing the proportion of mid-to-large and medium-sized aircraft.
In an interview with ‘Flight Global’, the world’s leading aviation magazine on the 20th, Chairman Cho said, “The current A380 will be eliminated within 5 years and the B747-8i within 10 years.” The A380 and B747-8i are the world’s largest aircraft manufacturers, Airbus and Boeing. According to Korean Air, the number of seats is 407 and 368, respectively. Korean Air operates 10 A380-800 and 10 B747-8i each. Asiana Airlines, which is scheduled to merge, operates six A380-800 aircraft. Asiana Airlines also owns one B747-400. Korean Air canceled this aircraft early. Taking this into account, a total of 27 super-large planes are expected to disappear within 10 years.
Chairman Cho mentioned the mid-to-large aircraft B777-300ER and evaluated it as “the most successful model in aviation history.” At the same time, he expressed his intention to reorganize the fleet to focus on medium-large and medium-sized aircraft. The main aircraft is expected to be the B787, which is evaluated as an eco-friendly aircraft. Korean Air has decided to introduce 20 more B787-10s and 10 more B787-9s in 2019. Although the B787 has only 269 seats, the fuel efficiency per seat is 20-25% higher than that of the same class model. It also reduces carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions by 20%. Korean Air also plans to use the 350 billion won it raised from the issuance of ESG (Environmental Responsibility and Transparent Management) bonds last month to introduce the B787. Currently, Korean Air has 134 aircraft and Asiana Airlines has 71. In addition, Chairman Cho said about the controversial B737 Max, “The trust in the B737 Max will not change, and it will become one of the safest aircraft.” In addition, regarding the introduction of the Boeing B777X, he took a cautious attitude, saying, “We need to watch more.”
[송광섭 기자]
[ⓒ 매일경제 & mk.co.kr, 무단전재 및 재배포 금지]
