Korean Airlines Boeing 747 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.
History
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. 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, Soviet Sukhoi Su-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 Force RC-135. Two passengers died as a result.[1] (http://aviation-safety.net/database/1978/780420-1.htm)
The incident would replay itself when, in August 1983, Soviet fighter planes shot down KAL flight 007, a 747, which was on a John F. Kennedy International Airport-Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport-Kimpo International Airport flight, on the Anchorage to Kimpo segment. All 269 people on board were killed. The civilian airliner went hundreds of miles off course and passed over restricted Siberian territory. The event was denounced by the US Reagan administration as a deliberate and wanton act of murder by an "evil empire."
On 29 November 1987, Korean Air Flight 858, which was travelling on an Abu Dhabi International Airport, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates-Don Muang International Airport, Bangkok, Thailand-Kimpo Airport, Kimpo, South Korea route mysteriously disappeared with all 115 on board.
On 6 August 1997, Korean Air Flight 801 crashed into Nimitz Hill about 3 miles (5 km) short of Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport, Guam, killing 228 of the 254 people on board.
Fleet
Destinations
See also - List of Korea-related topics
External links - Official Site (http://www.koreanair.com)
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