By Lee Hyo-sik
Korean Air, the nation’s largest flagship carrier, has been conducting a range of employee-initiated community service programs both at home and abroad, setting an example of how corporate social responsibility should be put into work.
The airline sets a new campaign slogan each year for its volunteer work to better coordinate resources and more effectively implement goodwill activities.
This year, under the theme of ``Excellence in Flight, Excellence in Community,’’ the company has been introducing a wide array of community service schemes here and overseas to improve the learning environment for students, assist those in need after natural disasters and conserve nature.
In February, Korean Air employees and executives held a ceremony at the company headquarters in western Seoul to pledge their commitment to a company-wide social contribution campaign.
They said the airline has been able to emerge as one of the world’s top air carriers thanks to a growing number of devoted Korean and non-Korean customers, stressing the firm is eager to share the fruits of its growth with local communities.
``We, as a leader in the global aviation community, would also like to fulfill our corporate social responsibility. We set a different theme every year, and try to reach those in need and make a difference in their lives,’’ a company spokesman said.
In June, staff at Korean Air’s aviation medical center, located at Gimpo International Airport in western Seoul, gave 120 elementary and secondary students in the area a free medical examination. Students also learned about healthy life styles and disease prevention methods.
Over the years, the medical center has also been offering free medical checks and treatment to migrant workers, senior citizens living alone and others vulnerable to various illnesses in the local community.
From May 20 through June 29, the airline operated an English class for first and second graders from an elementary school near Incheon International Airport. The program, which started in 2008, is biannual, providing rural-area children unable to receive private lessons with opportunities to learn English free of charge.
Not only at home, but also overseas, has Korea Air been introducing diverse community service programs.
In light of the unprecedented earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan in March, the air carrier was one of the first Korean firms offering emergency aid to the victims. The company sent 60,000 bottles of drinking water, 200 blankets and other necessities to the earthquake-hit area by cargo plane. It also donated 700 million won to the Korean Red Cross for the earthquake victims.
To improve the learning environment for Chinese students, the airline donated 63 personal computers to Qicai Elementary school in Beijing in March.
Its medical staff was also dispatched to the school in June to provide free medical services. Korean Air’s 20 branch offices operating in China collected money and sent emergency medical kits and study supplies to the school
``We decided to sponsor the elementary school as part of our corporate social responsibility program in China. We will expand our volunteer activities to other schools that need our support,’’ the spokesman said.
In order to protect the environment, the airline donated $40,000 to the city of Los Angeles in June as part of its campaign to plant one million trees there. The project began in 2009 and the company has and will contribute $40,000 each year through 2012.
In May, Korean Air employees, students and residents planted a total of 10,000 poplar trees in a desert in Mongolia in a bid to counter desertification and yellow sand storms. Additionally, the air carrier has been conducting a reforestation program in China’s Neimenggu desert since 2007.
The spokesman said as a true global carrier, Korean Air will continue to implement its ``sharing management” for communities across the globe.