Korean Air CEO: Boeing Will Deliver

Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO Stephanie Pope and Korean Air chairman and CEO Walter Cho

Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO Stephanie Pope and Korean Air chairman and CEO Walter Cho.

Credit: Korean Air

Korean Air CEO Walter Cho is confident that Boeing will meet its delivery commitments after the airline placed an order for up to 50 widebody aircraft.

Korean signed a firm order on Monday for 20 777Xs and 20 787-10s, with options for a further 10 787-10s. Cho said the first delivery slots would be in 2028 and continue from there.

Asked whether he was certain of Boeing honoring its delivery commitments, Cho replied: “If I wasn't assured, I wouldn’t have ordered the aircraft. I know Boeing will pull through whatever they’re going through right now. I have full confidence in Boeing. They’ll get through it.”

Korean has 20 737 MAX-8s, seven 787-9s and 16 787-10s on order with Boeing, according to CAPA Fleet Database. The airline took delivery of its first 787-10 on July 22, which it initially plans to deploy between Seoul Incheon and Tokyo Narita, before using it on long-haul routes to destinations including Vancouver.

Korean Air also placed a widebody order with Airbus in March for six A350-900s and 27 A350-1000s. However, Cho said the 777X was likely to become its “flagship aircraft.”

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David Casey

David Casey is Editor in Chief of Routes, the global route development community's trusted source for news and information.

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