Korean Air Reaches 5,000 Sharklet Deliveries for Key Airbus Wing Components

On April 24, Korean Air announced that it has reached a cumulative delivery of 5,000 "Sharklets," a key wing component for the Airbus A320 series aircraft.

On the 23rd, at the Korean Air Tech Center in Gangseo-gu, Busan, Yu Joongseok, Executive Vice President of Safety and Health and Operations at Korean Air (right), and Benoit Schultz, Chief Procurement Officer of Airbus (left), posed for a commemorative photo at the "A320 Sharklet 5000th Aircraft Delivery Ceremony." Korean Air

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On the afternoon of April 23, Korean Air held the "A320 Sharklet 5000th Delivery Ceremony" at the Korean Air Tech Center in Gangseo-gu, Busan. The event was attended by Yoo Jongseok, Executive Vice President of Safety and Health and Operations at Korean Air; Benoit Schultz, Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) of Airbus; and Lim Jingyu, Head of Aerospace Business at Korean Air.

The Sharklet is an L-shaped structure attached to the wingtip of an A320 aircraft, serving as a type of wingtip device that significantly improves aerodynamic performance by reducing vortices. By lowering air resistance during flight, it increases fuel efficiency, enhances aircraft performance, and reduces carbon dioxide emissions.

In 2010, Korean Air was selected as the final manufacturer of Sharklets for the Airbus A320 series performance improvement project through an international bidding process, beating competitors from Japan, France, and Germany. After successfully producing the first unit in July 2012, the company established an automated moving line facility with a monthly production capacity of more than 50 units, leading to the achievement of 5,000 cumulative deliveries.

On this day, Korean Air presented Sharklet-shaped objects to 15 domestic and international partners, including Airbus, to commemorate their collaborative relationships. An awards ceremony was also held to acknowledge the efforts of partner company employees.

Executive Vice President Yoo Jongseok stated, "The 5,000th unit is more than just a production milestone; it is a proud symbol that demonstrates Korean Air's capabilities as a core partner in the global aerospace industry. Based on uncompromising quality and trust, we will continue to pave the way for an even greater future in the global aerospace sector."

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