Korean Air new chief Walter Cho in spotlight as Seoul hosts IATA AGM

Korean Air is in the spotlight as it hosts the 2019 IATA AGM for the first time. The airline's main shareholder, the Cho family, has been embroiled in multiple scandals in recent years and its patriarch, Cho Yang-ho, was facing embezzlement charges when he passed away in Apr-2019. This year's AGM provides an opportunity to remember Mr Cho and also marks the start of a new chapter for Korean Air.

Cho Won-tae, a.k.a. Walter Cho, has taken over as Korean Air's chairman and CEO. He also has been appointed co-CEO of Hanjin Group. Hanjin is a large conglomerate that includes Korean Air and Hanjin Travel, one of South Korea's largest travel agencies. Hanjin and the Cho family hold a 33% stake in publicly listed Korean Air.

The younger Mr Cho, 43, was already Korean Air's president and a board member. He has been the heir apparent for some time, having worked his way up Korean Air's management ranks, including stints managing the passenger and cargo divisions before taking over as president in Mar-2016. Mr Cho also became chairman of the SkyTeam Alliance on 1-Jun-2019.

Below are Walter Cho's statements from a round table discussion with selected media, including CAPA, that took place in Oct-2018 during the AAPA Assembly of Presidents in Jeju. Mr Cho's replies provide a glimpse into his strategy and plans for South Korea's largest airline group.