Korean, Asiana wrestle over Paris route

A dispute between Korea’s two flag carriers, Korean Air Co. and Asiana Airlines Inc., over the route from Seoul to Paris has turned into a dogfight.
Currently, only Korean Air is allowed by the French government to make regular flights to Paris, and Asiana, the smaller airline, is pushing for a piece of the quiche. Asiana’s next chance to win clearance is the Korea-France government aviation talks this Tuesday, but Korean Air argues changing the rules for Asiana would do more harm than good.
Before they allow Asiana to fly to Paris, France has asked Korea either to wait until 400,000 passengers travel the route or accept the European Union Community Clause, which lumps all European countries together for aviation purposes, which Korean Air sees as disastrous. “Competing with all European companies would be a huge burden for both us and Asiana,” said Lee Jong-hee, the president of Korean Air. The company is not against Asiana entering the competition, he said, but it refuses to sacrifice the Korean aviation industry to make that possible.
“The clause would allow all 27 airliners in Europe access to the Korean skies while Korean companies get additional access only to Paris. Korea has nothing to gain from it. Also, if the government gives in to the French, all the other European countries would ask the same thing. Already, Germany and Finland have asked the Korean government to accept the clause last November,” said the president.
Mr. Lee also argues that accepting the clause is against Korea’s Aviation Law, which Asiana says is nonsense. “Aviation agreements between governments are considered higher than domestic aviation laws, because [such agreements] take priority,” a press release from Asiana read.
President Lee also points at the 400,000 figure and says Asiana need only wait: “When annual passengers surpass 400,000, Asiana will automatically receive permission to fly on the Paris route. There is no reason to hurry and sacrifice.”
Asiana lashed out at the French government for introducing the clause issue early last year. “The French government was supposed to allow an extra airliner to fly to Paris when passengers exceed 400,000, but when the number actually approached that level it came out with the clause to confuse the issue,” read the release from Asiana. “Korean Air is taking advantage of the situation to keep us excluded from the Paris route.” The impact of the clause would be minimal, Asiana said. Safeguards will still control the number of airlines and flights. Asiana said it is not practical for large numbers of European airlines to fly directly to Korea. Industry watchers say the government may accept the European Union Community Clause at next week’s aviation negotiations, and allow Asiana to fly to Paris. “The government is pro-Asiana, and so was the last administration,” said a manager at Korean Air, who declined to be identified.

By Hwang Young-jin Staff Writer [yhwang@joongang.co.kr]