Watchdog reviews Korean Air's alleged failure to maintain seat capacity

South Korea's antitrust watchdog, the Fair Trade Commission (FTC), has commenced deliberations into allegations that Korean Air Lines Co. fell short of seat capacity obligations following its acquisition of Asiana Airlines Inc. The FTC's examination revealed that Korean Air, its subsidiary Jin Air, and Asiana Airlines provided fewer than 90 percent of the seats on designated routes between Cheongju and Jeju from December 2024 to December 2025.

The merger conditions stipulated that the airlines maintain seat capacity at no less than 90 percent of the 2019 levels. The report found violations and recommended penalties and potential criminal proceedings for noncompliance. Additionally, an examination suggested rejecting Korean Air's and four affiliated airlines' request to reduce the minimum seat capacity requirement from 90 percent to 70 percent on Incheon-Busan-to-Guam routes.

The examiners concluded that the circumstances did not warrant the modification of the requirements. The FTC will render its final judgments after plenary deliberations, allowing affected parties to present their case. Asiana Airlines, now a subsidiary of Korean Air, is set to merge with Korean Air on December 17.