Korean Air marks 55th anniversary with eye on future after Asiana merger

Hanjin Group Chairman Walter Cho described the company's future as growth "to be a big tree" in the airline industry after weathering a "harsh winter" through the acquisition process.

Hanjin Group Chairman Walter Cho, third from left in the first row, participates in a celebratory event for Korean Air's 55th anniversary at its headquarters in western Seoul on Monday. [KOREAN AIR]

Hanjin Group Chairman Walter Cho drew a rosy picture of Korean Air after the acquisition of Asiana Airlines is completed.

In a post uploaded on the company's internal website in celebration of Korean Air's 55th anniversary, Cho said the integrated airline will "grow to be a big tree" in the global airline industry.

"From the moment we decided to acquire Asiana Airlines, a harsh winter came upon us," he said in the post.

"But a sturdy tree grows rigid tree rings and patterns inside if the winter gets long. If the acquisition process is completed, we all will be writing the next page of a historical moment."

Korean Air has earned approval from 13 antitrust regulatory authorities out of 14 needed globally for its acquisition deal with Asiana Airlines. It only needs approval from the United States to complete the merger, which the company is planning to obtain within this year.

Cho emphasized a return to basics in order to maintain a solid business.

"What Korean Air strives to be in the future is an airline that everybody wants to board," he said, "An airline that anybody can trust 100 percent for safety and an airline that one can expect comfortable and warm service from as if it is their home."

Korean Air held a celebratory event marking the 55th anniversary since its foundation at the company's headquarters in western Seoul on Monday, during which long-serving and exemplary employees were recognized.

It also awarded teams that participated most actively in the company's donation campaign based on the number of steps voluntarily walked by employees. Korean Air employees took more than 300 million steps, nearly double the initial objective of 155 million, the company said.

BY JIN EUN-SOO [jin.eunsoo@joongang.co.kr]