Overview
Founded in 1988, Asiana Airlines actually started out as Seoul Airlines. Based in Seoul, South Korea, the airline has hubs located in Gimpo International Airport and Incheon International Airport. The airline’s focus cities are Jeju International Airport and Gimhae International Airport. With the Asiana Club for its frequent flyer program, the airline’s member lounge is the Asiana Lounge as well. The airline has formed an alliance with Star Alliance and has Air Busan as its subsidiary. The airline is not too big, with just a fleet size of 69 flying to 77 destinations – and this is already including cargo. With its headquarters based in Seoul, South Korea, Asiana Airlines operates under its parent company, the Kumho Asiana Group.
Company Profile
Asiana Airlines is actually just one of the two major airlines operating in South Korea – with the other one being Korean Air. Being a member of Star Alliance, the airline’s operations extend to 12 domestic destinations as well as 82 international destinations, with its reach extending to 21 countries all over the world. Both the airline’s headquarters and its overseas hub are situated at the Incheon International Airport, right near Seoul. Its domestic hub, meanwhile, is situated at Gimpo International Airport.
Company History
Asiana Airlines was established back in February 17, 1988. Operations started December of the same year, with its first flights to Busan. The airline was established by Kumho Asiana Group – at the time, it was still known as the Kumho Group. This was done as part of the government policy of South Korea to come up with a 2nd flag carrier. At this point in time, the airline operated under the name of Seoul Air International.
The South Korean government then made the move towards foreign ownership, thereby increasing it from just 20% up to 50%. At present, the airline is owned largely by private investors, Kumho Industrial, Kumho Petrochemical, foreign investors, Korea Development Bank, and other minor investors. As of March 2007, the airline reports to have over 7,700 employees already.
Asiana Airlines Fleet
The Airbus A320-200, Airbus A321-100, Airbus A321-200, and Boeing 737-400 comprise the narrow body fleet of the airline. Its wide body fleet, on the other hand, is comprised of the Airbus A330-300, Airbus A350, Boeing 747-400, Boeing 747-400 Combi, Boeing 767-300, and Boeing 777-200ER. Meanwhile, the airline’s cargo fleet is composed of the Boeing 747-400F, Boeing 747-400SF, and Boeing 767-300F.
Asiana Airlines Destinations
The airline flies to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, People’s Republic of China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Cambodia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Australia.
