Asiana Airlines Q1 Revenue 783.4 Billion KRW... 'Cargo' Sales Increase by 83%

Asiana Airlines Performance Trends

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyewon] Asiana Airlines announced on the 17th that its first-quarter sales based on separate financial statements amounted to 783.4 billion KRW, a 30.6% decrease compared to the same period last year. Operating losses for the same period were 11.2 billion KRW, and net losses were 230.4 billion KRW, showing a reduced deficit compared to last year.

Although first-quarter sales decreased by 30.6% compared to the same period last year, the cargo division recorded an 83% increase in sales. Thanks to the surge in cargo transportation demand centered on Southeast Asia, the Americas, and Europe, the cargo division alone recorded sales of 610.5 billion KRW.

Asiana Airlines converted two A350 passenger aircraft into cargo planes last year and additionally converted two more in February this year, securing a maximum transport capacity of 46 tons per aircraft. The converted cargo planes were deployed on main cargo routes, continuing strong cargo performance.

Focusing on routes to the Americas and Europe with high cargo transportation demand, the volume of loaded goods such as ▲IT and electronic device components ▲e-commerce export products ▲personal protective equipment increased, raising sales on these routes by 112% and 82% respectively compared to the same period last year.

Asiana Airlines also worked to improve passenger business profitability through charter flight acquisitions and no-landing sightseeing flights amid ongoing global entry restrictions due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.

The airline attracted special charter flights transporting domestic company personnel to locations such as Vietnam’s Binh Duong and Haiphong, and China’s Guangzhou and Nanjing, and planned no-landing sightseeing flights with an international travel concept, dedicating efforts to passenger demand recovery and partially offsetting operating losses in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, efforts to improve passenger performance will continue by attracting special charter flights. An Asiana Airlines official stated, "We will fulfill our role and responsibility as a national airline by organizing emergency special flights to transport Indian expatriates facing difficulties returning home due to the spread of COVID-19, and contribute to overcoming the COVID crisis. As global vaccination expands and entry restrictions ease, passenger demand recovery is expected, and we plan to fully prepare to respond accordingly."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.