Korean Air is the largest airline based in Korea. It uses the IATA designator code KE, but is more often known by its ICAO designator code, KAL. It is one of the largest airlines in Asia and operates an expansive network that links Europe, Africa, Asia, North America, and South America to its hub at Incheon International Airport.
Korean Air began in 1962 as Korean Air Lines and at that time was owned by the South Korean Government. It replaced the former Korean carrier Korean National Airlines. In 1969 KAL was acquired by the Hanjin Transport Group and became privately owned.
Korean Air Boeing 747
International flights to Hong Kong and China were flown with Boeing 707s until the airline was privatized. In 1973, KAL introduced Boeing 747s on their Pacific routes and started a European service to Paris using the 707s. A new blue-top livery was introduced in 1984 along with its current name: Korean Air. In 1986 Korean Air became the first airline to use the new MD-11 to supplement its new fleet of Boeing 747-400s. As Korean Air grew, it assigned its fleet of MD-11 jets to freighter-only use in addition to 747 freighters.
On April 20, 1978, SovietSukhoiSu-15TM 'Flagon'interceptors of the VVS shot down KAL flight 902, a 707, near Murmansk after a navigation error led the plane off-course. The VVS at first thought the aircraft was a 747, but then thought it was a U.S. Air ForceRC-135. Two passengers died as a result.[1] (http://aviation-safety.net/database/1978/780420-1.htm)
KoreanAir began in 1962 as KoreanAirLines and was owned by the South Korean Government.
In 1986KoreanAir became the first airline to use the new MD-11 to supplement its new fleet of Boeing 747-400s.
Because a U.S. Air Force Boeing RC-135 intelligence plane was flying in the area east off Kamchatka, the Soviets may have assumed the 747 radar echo to be the RC-135.
On September 1, 1983, KoreanAirLines Flight KE007, en route from Anchorage, Alaska, to Seoul, South Korea, strayed into the airspace of the former Soviet Union and was shot down over the Sea of Japan.
In re KoreanAirLines Disaster of Sept. 1, 1983, 932 F.2d 1475, cert.
In Re KoreanAirLines Disaster of Sept. 1, 1983, 117 F.3d 1477 (CADC 1997).
Feeds |
Contact