‘Nut rage’ airline executive faces prison
A former senior airline executive faces a prison sentence after she forced a Korean Air flight from New York to return to the gate when she was served nuts in a bag rather than on a plate.
Cho Hyun-ah, who was the airline’s senior vice president at the time, allegedly threw a tantrum and ordered the pilot to return to the gate so the member of the cabin crew who served her the nuts could be removed, causing the flight to be delayed by 11 minutes.
Ms Cho, the daughter Korean Air chairman Cho Yang-ho – who is also known as ‘Heather’ – was later charged in Seoul with violation of aviation safety regulations following an investigation by South Korea’s transport ministry.
If found guilty, she could be handed a prison sentence of between 12 months and 15 years.
Ms Cho was detained as a ‘flight risk’ following the incident, which happened shortly before the flight to Incheon in South Korea was due to take off. She has since resigned and apologised for her behaviour.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements