Korean Air has finalised an order for eight Boeing 777-8 freighters that it first committed to last year.
The Seoul-based airline has also confirmed orders for 20 777-9, 25 787-10, and 50 737-10 aircraft.
The procurement plan for 103 aircraft was initially announced in Washington DC in August last year and the signing ceremony took place in Seoul on 15 September.
A Korean Air spokesperson stated: “We will leverage this fleet modernisation to strengthen our competitive edge and continue driving economic exchange between Korea and the United States.”
The airline said that the investment would support capacity growth following the integration of Asiana Airlines, in which it acquired a majority stake in December 2024.
Korean Air is pursuing a merger as the final step toward integrating both companies and this merger agreement was signed in May.
“This investment secures a predictable long-term fleet introduction schedule to support capacity growth following the Asiana Airlines integration,” said Korean Air. “The transition to next-generation models will also improve overall fleet fuel efficiency and support the airline’s carbon reduction goals.”
According to Planespotters.net, Korean Air’s current all-Boeing freighter fleet is made up of four 747-400Fs, six 747-8Fs and 12 777Fs.
But the 777-8F is not the only new generation freighter that Korean Air has invested in. In October last year, Airbus announced that the carrier had converted seven of an existing order for A350 passenger aircraft to the freighter model.
This makes Korean Air one of the only carriers that has invested in both the 777-8F and the A350F.
Silk Way West Airlines has also ordered both freighter types. Silk Way West ordered two A350Fs in June 2022, and later increased its A350F order to four.
The Azerbaijan-based airline also ordered two 777-8Fs in November 2022, with two additional purchase options that it has now converted to orders.
Earlier this month, Indian air cargo solutions company Afcom Holdings Limited signed a letter of intent (LOI) for up to four Boeing 777-8 freighters.
