Korean Air (003490.KS) and Asiana Airlines (020560.KS) are holding joint pilot safety meetings and will expand their flight safety systems ahead of the launch of the merged carrier in December.
Korean Air said on the 12th that it will hold 22 joint pilot safety meetings with Asiana Airlines from Oct. 12 to Nov. 13 at its headquarters in Seoul's Gangseo District. Held under the theme of "absolute safety achieved as one," the meetings are open to all flight crew members at both carriers.
The sessions are designed to break down cultural gaps stemming from different flight operating environments, build teamwork and share the direction the carriers will take after the merger. Flight crews from both airlines will learn the unified safety standards of the combined carrier. They will also review in advance even minor differences in operating procedures that could arise in the field.
The meetings will analyze key cases handled by Korean Air's in-house just culture committee to build consensus on the principle of non-punishment. Korean Air encourages employees to voluntarily report human error, or simple mistakes, that occur in the course of their work and treats such reports as opportunities to improve systems and working conditions.
"Mutual respect and open communication are the most powerful safety equipment Korean Air has built up over decades," said Kim Hae-ryong, head of Korean Air's flight operations division. "Based on an advanced safety culture that has already been proven, flight crews from both airlines will merge completely into one team, and we will establish ourselves as a global airline that passengers around the world can choose with the greatest confidence."