Korean Air hit for raising ticket prices
The Korean Air building in Seosomun, central Seoul. / Korea Times file
By Kim Jae-heun
When the country's flagship carrier Korean Air said it would take over Asiana Airlines, people were concerned about ticket price hikes, as when they were rivals, it was not easy for one to raise prices.
But immediately after the government gave permission for the deal, Korean Air announced it would charge extra for first row and emergency door seats, which have more legroom.
“I did not expect the price hike for plane tickets to take place this fast,” said a regular Korean Air customer.
“If Asiana Airlines had merged with another firm it would not have been so easy for Korean Air to raise its prices this easily. This is even before the official acquisition contract is signed. I am worried airfares will be raised even higher in the future.”
Korean Air responded that the change in it prices was planned last year and had nothing to do with the acquisition of Asiana.
Hanjin KAL Chairman Cho Won-tae even said during a meeting with the press last month, “There may be concerns about monopolization after the acquisition of Asiana Airlines, but we will never cause inconvenience to customers or raise prices.”
However, in less than a month, Korean Air proved these words to be empty rhetoric.
“All other international carriers such as Air France, Lufthansa and several local low-cost carriers adopted this system long ago,” a Korean Air official said. “We couldn't implement it earlier because COVID-19 broke out.”
Starting from Jan. 7 next year, Korean Air will charge an extra fee for preferred seats in the front rows of international flights in economy class.
Preferred seats are those in the front row and next to emergency exits where there is comparatively more legroom. The price for seats close to plane doors, that allow passengers to disembark quicker, will also be increased. Seats next to emergency exits will only be restricted to fit people over the age of 15 because they may have to help the cabin crew in an emergency.
The additional costs will vary from 20,000 won to 150,000 won depending on the destination.