Korean Air to buy A380

Korean Air is set to buy a total of 17 new planes after signing Memorandums of Understanding with both Boeing of the US and European manufacturer Airbus.

The Airbus deal, for eight aircraft, includes a number of the world’s biggest passenger plane, the A38O, and represents a breakthrough for the company. The South Korean airline is the first Asian carrier to opt for the 555-seat superjumbo.

News of the Airbus agreement came 24 hours after Boeing confirmed that KAL had signed MOUs for nine of its planes worth USD$1.5 billion at current list prices. It is understood that South Korea’s largest carrier will be taking two Boeing 747-400 extended range freighters and seven 777s.

This has been a good week for sales of the Airbus A380. Emirates revealed at the Paris Air Show that it is to take a further 21 of the big jets. They will be part of a massive order for both Airbus and Boeing planes worth a total of USD$19 billion.

Korean Air, a member of the SkyTeam alliance, has overcome safety concerns in recent years and is in the process of upgrading its fleet.

The MOUs will be seen as a sign of renewed confidence in the Asia/Pacific region after KAL, like its neighboring airlines, suffered from the major impact on air travel of the SARS virus.

With the World Health Organization claiming this week that the disease is being contained, KAL is planning to re-start some of the services it was forced to suspend because of lack of demand.