Korean Air has completed its strategic re-acquisition of its catering and duty-free service divisions, a move that consolidates its control over critical in-flight service operations. The airline announced that the transaction will be finalized by June 1, 2026, after purchasing over five million shares from Hahn & Company for approximately 503 million USD. This step follows years of partial divestment during the COVID-19 pandemic, aimed at stabilizing finances and maintaining liquidity.
The buyback allows Korean Air to fully oversee its catering and duty-free sectors, with the goal of enhancing operational efficiency, quality control, and service standardization. These divisions had reported assets of 1.3 trillion won, revenue of 666.5 billion won, and a net profit of 37.9 billion won in fiscal year 2024. The airline intends to support this move with financing of around 710 billion won, indicating its commitment to strengthening its core business units.
This consolidation is also a preparatory step for the airline’s planned merger with Asiana Airlines, aiming to create a major industry player in the Asia-Pacific region. Full ownership of Korean Air C&D Service will enable Korean Air to optimize production capacities, supply chains, and passenger services, especially in catering and onboard shopping experiences. Industry experts see this move as a sign of Korean Air’s increased strength and strategic readiness to maximize synergies and service quality in the post-pandemic era.
