Aseana cutting back on first class
Still feeling the effects of the slowdown after the MERS outbreak, South Korea’s second largest carrier is severely cutting back on first class seats.
"We will change the current three-class seating system into a two-class one, keeping first-class seats only on Airbus 380 airliners," said CEO Kim Soo-cheon.
"The conventional growth strategy no longer works. We must focus on improving profitability by drastically changing the way we operate."
In an address to Aseana staff, Kim said the airline posted more than 150 billion won ($126 million) in losses on international routes due to the continuing slow recovery especially in the key Japanese and Chinese markets.
Kim also said some aircraft that currently have a two-class seating will be remodelled to a single class economy only configuration.
Aseana has 12 such aircraft in its fleet of 74 planes.
The deadly MERS outbreak hit South Korea at the end of May and caused a dramatic downturn in inbound tourism which has been slow to recover.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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