[Reporter’s Notebook] Asiana Airlines, After Internal Strife, Needs Communication to Ease Anxiety

"Now, there is no interest in whether to merge with Korean Air. I just hope the conclusion comes quickly." This is the common reaction among many Asiana Airlines employees when talking about the merger with Korean Air. Among the affiliate employees, many say, "I should look elsewhere before the merger happens." In short, everyone is fending for themselves.

The merger is not simply about a change of ownership. While some people keep their positions, others must leave the company. The hottest topic is the sale of the cargo business to alleviate concerns over the monopoly of European cargo routes. Cargo planes and pilot personnel will have to leave the company. It is essentially a restructuring. The affiliates face the same situation. There are rampant rumors that Asiana Airlines’ LCCs (low-cost carriers) Air Seoul and Air Busan will be sold without merging, or that Korean Air’s LCC Jin Air will be integrated.

Yesterday, Won Yu-seok, CEO of Asiana Airlines, posted an internal notice. He said, "I am well aware of the concerns of employees regarding the recent company and board decisions," and "I will do my best so that your hard work does not go to waste." As CEO Won said, employees quietly endured even during the worst situation of COVID-19. One pilot recalled, "While isolated in a foreign hotel eating bread and feeling depressed, I endured by thinking about the company’s 'emergency' recovery." Many still hold affection for the company they have protected with great effort. An employee who worked at Asiana for decades said, "How can I leave a company I have protected? I want to work as part of Asiana Airlines."

The company lacked communication during this board of directors phase. News that could shake the company’s existence poured in. Yet, the company remained silent. Without even basic information sharing, employees could not help but feel anxious. The labor union said, "We can only learn when and where the board meetings are held and what agenda items are discussed through news articles." The board of directors, the highest decision-making body, was once embroiled in controversies such as conflicts of interest involving outside directors, further increasing anxiety.

One could just wait quietly as if the company were an item on the market. But if not properly nurtured, it could become a fruit that looks good on the outside but is damaged inside. It will take at least another year to reach a merger conclusion. During the waiting period, wouldn’t leaving messages to reassure the members help prevent decay?

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