Korean Air to add 30 Boeing Dreamliner 787s
Published: 19 Jun. 2019, 20:23
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]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
To write comments, please log in to one of the accounts.
Standards Board Policy (0/250자)