Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
Korean Air hires new flight crew members for first time in 3 years
Korean Air's B787-9 aircraft / Courtesy of Korean Air
By Baek Byung-yeul
By Baek Byung-yeul
Korean Air is recruiting cabin crew for the first time in three years as the COVID-19 pandemic-hit airline is seeing an increasing number of air travelers, according to the top air carrier here, Friday.
The company said it has begun receiving applicants for more than 100 new cabin attendant positions until Nov. 4.
“Currently, the volume of air travel is still not up to the level it was before the COVID-19 pandemic, and some cabin crew members are still on leaves of absence. However, we decided to hire new crew members as we expect there will be a sharp increase in demand for international passengers after the end of this year, starting with the resumption of visa-free travel to Japan,” a Korean Air spokesperson said.
“The recruitment is also aimed at providing high-quality jobs to those who have dreamed of becoming cabin crew members but gave up that hope amid the COVID-19 pandemic,” the official added.
With the leading air carrier hiring new cabin attendants here in Korea, other air carriers are also expected to follow suit.
The air travel business was on the verge of dying due to the pandemic. However, the country's airports have recently become crowded again as countries have been easing their COVID-19 restrictions. Japan, one of the most popular tourist destinations among Korean nationals, also began allowing visa-free entry starting from Oct. 11.
Korean Air said that air travel is only slightly above 50 percent, compared to the level before the pandemic, but it is operating sufficient manpower by increasing the number of workers to over 80 percent.
The air carrier said it changed its screening method when recruiting, in consideration of the COVID-19 situation and for the convenience of applicants.
“The biggest change in recruitment this year is that we decided to introduce a video interview system. The applicants are required to submit a less than three-minute-long video clip,” the company said. “Korea Air expects that such a video interview will reduce the burden on applicants while allowing them to demonstrate their capabilities in a more familiar and comfortable environment.”
The company also changed its physical fitness test. Previously, applicants were required to take a physical exam at one location, but they can now book convenient places and times among the 76 regional certification centers operated by the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation.