Korean Air-Asiana Cede Slots on 10 More Routes

Korean Air and Asiana Airlines are set to cede landing and takeoff slots on an additional 10 routes as part of the ongoing regulatory review of their proposed merger. This move is a concession aimed at satisfying competition concerns raised by authorities in South Korea.

The airlines have agreed to relinquish slots on routes connecting Seoul Incheon to cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, New York, and Honolulu. Additionally, slots on services from Seoul Gimpo to Tokyo Haneda, Osaka Itami, and Taipei Songshan will also be surrendered. This expansion of concessions follows an earlier agreement to give up slots on nine other international routes.

This latest offer is designed to address the final remaining competition concerns of the South Korean Fair Trade Commission (KFTC). The KFTC had previously voiced worries that the merger could reduce competition on several key international and domestic air travel markets.

By offering these additional slots, Korean Air and Asiana Airlines are seeking to gain approval from the KFTC for their long-anticipated merger. The airlines have been working to secure regulatory clearances from various competition authorities around the world. This development indicates progress in securing domestic approval, which is a crucial step in the merger process.

The surrender of these slots will likely allow other airlines to operate on these competitive routes, thereby maintaining or increasing passenger choice and potentially impacting airfares. The specific details of how these slots will be reallocated to other carriers are subject to further regulatory decisions.

Key Points
* Korean Air and Asiana Airlines to cede slots on 10 more routes.
* Routes include Seoul Incheon to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, New York, and Honolulu.
* Routes also include Seoul Gimpo to Tokyo Haneda, Osaka Itami, and Taipei Songshan.
* This is in addition to 9 international routes previously agreed upon.
* The concessions are aimed at satisfying the South Korean Fair Trade Commission’s competition concerns.

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