Illustrative image (Source: Bloomberg)Seoul (VNA) - Korean Air Lines Co., the Republic of Korea (RoK)'s largest carrier,said on September 4 that it has expanded cargo flights to Southeast Asia andSouth America to cope with the global economic slowdown prompted by the US-Chinatrade tensions.
Korean Air said it has re-launchedcargo flights to Manila (the Philippines) and Bangkok (Thailand), with Boeing777F aircraft to run twice a week on those routes. Previously, the airline usedits passenger aircraft to carry goods on these routes.
The Korean carrier saiddemand for air freight in Southeast Asia has been rising as local companieshave been shifting their production bases to the region in recent years.
Korean Air said it alsoincreased its air freight flights to South America last month, from two tothree flights per week. The South America-bound cargo flights depart Incheonand return to the RoK after making stops in the US, Brazil, Chile and Peru.
Planes leaving Incheonmostly carry electronic and automobile parts while returning freighters arefilled with produce such as fruits and vegetables from Chile and Peru, theairline said.
Korean Air's operatingprofit plunged 82 percent on-year to 41.9 billion KRW (34 million USD) in thefirst half of the year, while revenues rose only 0.8 percent on-year to 6.26trillion KRW over the cited period.-VNA
VNA
