Korean Air-Asiana merger may face delay as France opposes T’way Air’s Paris route

The French aviation authority have opposed T'way Air's assumption of Korean Air's Paris route, dealing a blow to compliance with the European Commission's stipulations for the flag carrier's merger with Asiana.

Planes from Korean Air and Asiana Airlines prepare for takeoff at Incheon International Airport in this photo taken on Nov. 16, 2020. [NEWS1]

Korean Air's proposed acquisition of Asiana Airlines has hit another obstacle with the French aviation authority opposing T'way Air's plans to initiate flights to Paris.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said Friday talks are underway with the aviation regulator to resolve the issue.

"We are in discussion with the French authorities and negotiating various measures to enable T'way operations to Paris," a ministry official from the International Air Transport Division told the Korea JoongAng Daily on Friday.

Under the conditional approval of the Korean Air-Asiana Airlines merger granted by the European Commission (EC) in February, the Korean low-cost carrier was designated as the substitute airline to assume Korean Air's four European destinations, including Paris.

According to the 1974 aviation agreement between Korea and France, only one Korean carrier, Korean Air, operated the Paris route for 34 years. From 2008, the agreement allowed two carriers, including Asiana Airlines, to serve the route.

The French authorities have raised concerns that T'way's planned launch of the Incheon-Paris route violates the bilateral agreement, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Korean Air.

Unlike France, Germany, Spain and Italy do not have such aviation agreements restricting the number of Korean airlines.

Potential refusal by the French authorities to permit T'way Air's Paris operations could jeopardize compliance with EC regulators. Additionally, Korean Air's suspension of route operations could result in missed revenue opportunities, particularly with the upcoming Paris Olympics in July.

Options under consideration include temporary permission for three Korean carriers to operate until the merger's completion.

"Operations by Korean carriers adhere to the agreed-upon flight frequency between Korea and France," an official from Korean Air said. "Discussions between both countries are ongoing, and we anticipate a resolution soon."

Regarding T'way Air's plans to operate in the other three EU destinations, there have been no objections, as authorities recognize them as remedial measures in compliance with existing traffic rights, Korean Air added.

BY SEO JI-EUN [seo.jieun1@joongang.co.kr]