Korean Air gets approval from Turkey for Asiana purchase

Korean Air Lines’ Boeing 787-9 aircraft. [KOREAN AIR LINES]

Korean Air Lines received approval from Turkey to acquire Asiana Airlines.

Korean Air Lines announced on Wednesday that it has won the approval from the Turkish Competition Authority as of Feb. 4.

Korean Air Lines applied to relevant authorities of nine countries, including Korea, the United States, China and Japan, seeking approval of the acquisition.

“Starting from the approval from the Turkish government, Korean Air Lines believes the business approval will pass without big problems from authorities of eight other [jurisdictions],” said the company in a statement.

Korean Air Lines is currently preparing to apply for approval for the business combination from Britain and Australia.

The company announced the acquisition of Asiana Airlines with the help of government money in November last year.

BY JIN MIN-JI [jin.minji@joongang.co.kr]