Korean Air CEO recognized at ATW awards ceremony

Korean Air Chairman and CEO Walter Cho, right, and Adrian Schofield, senior air transport editor at the Aviation Week Network, at the ATW Awards Ceremony Friday. [KOREAN AIR]

Korean Air Chairman and CEO Walter Cho was awarded the Excellence in Leadership Award at Air Transport World’s (ATW) 49th Airline Industry Achievement Awards in Turkey on Friday.

ATW is an online and print trade publication covering the global air transportation industry. Recipients for the awards are selected by a judging panel of editors and analysts from across the globe.

Cho was recognized for his role as a leader in the global aviation industry as a member of the International Air Transport Association Board of Governors and Chairman of the SkyTeam Alliance Board.

Cho’s leadership and crisis management throughout the Covid-19 pandemic have been noted, Korean Air said in a statement.

Korean Air announced it would acquire Asiana Airlines, the second largest carrier in Korea, following the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020.

The acquisition has faced a headwind after the European Union expressed concerns about the takeover last month, saying the merger could hinder competition in the airline industry.

“I’m very humbled to receive this award, and I share this with all of my employees and colleagues at Korean Air, and our valued customers that continue to support us, as well as our great partner, Delta,” Cho said at the awards ceremony.

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