Korean Air to add 30 Boeing Dreamliner 787s

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Korean Air to add 30 Boeing Dreamliner 787s

Korean Air will acquire 30 Boeing Dreamliners to modernize its fleet and help it increase focus on medium and long-haul routes.

The country’s flag carrier said Wednesday that it signed a memorandum of understanding with Boeing and Air Lease Corporation, an aircraft leasing company, at the Paris Air Show on Tuesday for an order of 20 Boeing 787-10s and 10 Boeing 787-9s.

Of the 30 aircraft, 10 Boeing 787-10s will be leased, while the others will be purchased. According to Boeing, the total list price for the 20 aircraft to be bought is $6.3 billion.

The 787, also known as the Dreamliner, is used for medium- to long-haul flights.

The 787-10 model has better fuel efficiency than the 787-9 model.

Korean Air said the new models will replace older Boeing 777s and 747s and Airbus A330s.

“The 787-10 not only has better fuel efficiency but is also able to carry more passengers and cargo,” said Cho Won-tae, president of Korean Air during the signing of the agreement.

“Together with the 787-9, it will play a central role in Korean Air’s medium and long-haul flights.”

The carrier will introduce the aircraft, starting with 787-10s, to its fleet from 2021.

They will be the first 787-10s introduced to the country’s airlines.

Korean Air’s latest deal comes as the president looks to normalize management following the death of his father and former chairman Cho Yang-ho earlier this year.

This is the first major deal made by Cho since he was appointed as group chairman.

BY CHAE YUN-HWAN [chae.yunhwan@joongang.co.kr]
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