Korean Air CEO, Walter Cho, anticipates a transformative 2024 for the aviation industry in his New Year’s message.

In a New Year’s address directed towards the Korean Air team, Chairman and CEO Walter Cho expressed his anticipation that 2024 would prove to be a significant milestone for the aviation sector, marked by a slew of transformative changes and innovations. Cho placed a strong emphasis on the importance of safety and service, urging his colleagues to lend their unwavering support in ensuring the successful completion of the acquisition of Asiana Airlines in the coming year.

“While we commemorate our triumph over formidable challenges and witness a resurgence in our valued passengers’ travel plans, airports are once again bustling with activity,” Walter Cho conveyed in his New Year’s message, which was posted on the company’s internal platform on January 2.

In his message, Cho also foresaw the persistence of geopolitical uncertainties, global supply chain disruptions, economic slowdowns, and prolonged inflation throughout 2024. He anticipated heightened competition within the industry as companies vie to reclaim their market share and a potential slowdown in the lucrative cargo business.

In response to these uncertainties, Cho urged his colleagues to return to the fundamentals of their work. “Innovation, when not built upon a solid foundation, is akin to constructing a castle upon shifting sands,” Cho remarked. “We must consistently nurture and refine our strengths.”

Furthermore, Cho underscored that the core of Korean Air’s operations revolves around a steadfast commitment to safety. He encouraged his colleagues to actively participate in fostering a robust safety culture within the organization.

Cho also stressed the paramount importance of continually providing customer-centric services. “Every moment our passengers spend with us is now more precious than ever. To cater to their needs, we must thoroughly assess every aspect of their journey, from its inception to its conclusion, identifying any inconveniences and opportunities for improvement,” Cho emphasized. He reiterated safety and service as the cornerstones of the airline’s business and called upon his colleagues to fulfill their respective roles, enabling Korean Air to maintain its position as a leader in the global aviation industry.

Regarding the impending merger with Asiana Airlines, Cho expressed his confidence that the process would be finalized in 2024 and implored all employees to unite for the successful launch of an integrated airline. “We are on track to complete the acquisition of Asiana Airlines in 2024. While it may have taken longer than initially expected, this integrated airline will serve as a powerful catalyst for our long-term growth,” Cho asserted. “Korean Air will be positioned alongside the world’s leading airlines, and this merger will optimize our network, opening doors to new destinations, and affording our customers a broader array of choices.”

In conclusion, Cho reflected on the pandemic’s revelation of the paramount importance of “people” and acknowledged the airline’s more than 20,000 dedicated professionals as the backbone of the business. “With Korean Air’s resilience, strength, and expertise accumulated over many years, there is no obstacle we cannot surmount when we unite our collective efforts.”

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