▴ (from left to right) Marco Navarria, Senior Director, Content & Marketing, CAPA; Stephanie Juszkiewicz, SVP, Aviation Business Development, Perth Airport; Chapman Fong, Director, Hub Development, Airport Authority Hong Kong; Taejoon Kim, SVP and Head of International Affairs and Alliances, Korean Air; Goh Choon Phong, CEO, Singapore Airlines; Mike Szücs – CEO, Cebu Pacific; and Oriel Morrison, former CNBC journalist and co-founder of APAC Network
(NEWS) SINGAPORE, 2025-Oct-31 — /Travel PR News/ — Korean Air has been honoured as Asia Airline of the Year by CAPA – Centre for Aviation, recognising the carrier’s outstanding strategic leadership and influence on the region’s aviation sector. The award, presented during the CAPA Airline Leader Summit – Asia & Awards for Excellence in Singapore on October 30, highlights Korean Air’s adept management of its landmark acquisition of Asiana Airlines and the airline’s comprehensive vision for the post-merger future.
CAPA’s judging panel cited the airline’s structured, forward-thinking approach to integrating Asiana, noting that the merger represents one of the most ambitious transformations in Asian aviation. The process, which includes the unification of branding, aircraft liveries, in-flight experiences, route planning, and IT infrastructure, is expected to culminate in the creation of a global megacarrier by January 2027. The panel praised Korean Air’s clarity and methodical execution in navigating the complexities of the merger, describing it as a model for large-scale airline integrations.
During the summit, Korean Air executives joined discussions marking SkyTeam’s 25th anniversary, reflecting on the importance of international alliances and the ongoing success of its trans-Pacific joint venture with Delta Air Lines. The conversation also emphasised Incheon International Airport’s strategic role as SkyTeam’s key gateway to Asia.
Taejoon Kim, Senior Vice President and Head of International Affairs and Alliances at Korean Air, said the recognition “is a meaningful validation of our entire team’s dedication during this historic period of transformation,” reaffirming the airline’s commitment to delivering a sustainable, world-class travel experience.
The accolade builds on a series of recent honours for Korean Air, including Airline of the Year from AirlineRatings.com and Best Cabin Service at the APEX Best Awards. Together, these recognitions underscore Korean Air’s strengthening global presence and its mission to redefine the standards of excellence in the airline industry.
