KAL boosts cabin crew hiring this year to 900

Although the infamous “nut rage” incident might give second thoughts to some people who are considering a career with Korean Air Lines, the nation’s largest carrier announced Thursday it will hire 900 cabin crew members this year.

The affiliate of Hanjin Group has hired 600 cabin crews annually, but this time it decided to recruit about 50 percent than more usual.

“The reason why we increased the size of the recruitment is that we have expanded our new routes, while we also are bringing in new aircraft. That increases the demand for cabin crews,” said a KAL spokesman.

KAL previously unveiled its plan to add 10 Boeing B747-8I aircraft from this year to 2017.

For the first recruitment session this year, which will be open through Feb. 9, the flag carrier said it will hire about 200 people for cabin crews.

College graduates and those on track to graduate by August are eligible to apply. Other requirements include a Toeic score of at least 550 points and eyesight correctable to 1.0 or better.

The airline said the recruitment for this session will be finished by early May.

Korea’s No. 2 carrier, Asiana Airlines, said it has not yet finalized its recruitment plan for cabin crews, but expects to hire about 1,000 people.

kjoo@joongang.co.kr [BY JOO KYUNG-DON ]