What did Asiana Airlines shareholders approve in the Korean Air merger deal?

They approved the merger with Korean Air at an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting, with an overwhelming majority voting in favor. The vote completes Asiana’s role in a takeover process that has lasted nearly six years.

When was the Korean Air and Asiana Airlines deal first announced and how much was it worth?

Korean Air announced plans to acquire Asiana in November 2020. The deal was valued at 1.8 trillion won, or about $1.6 billion.

What happens next in the Korean Air and Asiana merger integration?

Korean Air said it will hold a board meeting to finalize the merger, and the combined airline is scheduled to launch on Dec. 17. Asiana’s CEO said mileage program integration is being prepared, pending a Fair Trade Commission decision.

Asiana shareholders approve merger with Korean Air

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Summary

Asiana Airlines shareholders approved the carrier’s merger with Korean Air on Wednesday, ending nearly six years of acquisition efforts. The merged entity, to be named Korean Air, is scheduled to launch on Dec. 17, and Asiana’s name will no longer be used. Asiana CEO Song Bo-young said preparations are under way for mileage program integration, pending a Fair Trade Commission decision. Korean Air is also set to hold a board meeting Wednesday to finalize the merger.

Key Facts

Korean Air announced the Asiana acquisition plan in November 2020 in a deal valued at 1.8 trillion won.
The merger agreement was signed in May.
Song Bo-young said the company is preparing for the integration of the two airlines' mileage programs and is waiting for a Fair Trade Commission decision.
Korean Air plans to hold a board meeting on Wednesday to finalize the merger.
The merged carrier is scheduled to launch on Dec. 17 under the Korean Air name.

By Yonhap

Published Aug 12, 2026 11:07 am KST

Asiana Airlines Inc. holds an extraordinary shareholders' meeting to vote on the merger with Korean Air at the company's headquarters in Gangseo District, Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap

Asiana Airlines Inc., the country's second-largest carrier, said Wednesday its shareholders have approved its merger with larger rival Korean Air, wrapping up nearly six years of the latter's acquisition process.

Asiana held an extraordinary shareholders' meeting to vote on the merger, with an overwhelming majority of shareholders voting in favor of the deal with the national flag carrier, a company spokesperson said.

In November 2020, Korean Air announced plans to acquire Asiana in a deal valued at 1.8 trillion won ($1.6 billion), a move that would create the world's 10th-largest airline by fleet size.

"A mega-carrier to be created through the merger will be the first step toward writing a new history in Korea's aviation industry," Asiana Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Song Bo-young told reporters on the sidelines of the shareholders' meeting.

Regarding the integration of the two airlines' mileage programs, Song said the company is making preparations and awaits a decision from the Fair Trade Commission.

The two airlines signed a merger agreement in May, and the merged entity, to be named Korean Air, is scheduled to launch on Dec. 17.

The Asiana Airlines name will no longer be used.

Also Wednesday, Korean Air plans to hold a board meeting to finalize the merger with Asiana.

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