place. It plays a role as a real leader.” Today, Korea operates nearly every current Boeing commercial airplane model and builds parts for each type. The country’s flagship carrier, Korean Air, recently took delivery of the first of 10 747-8 Intercontinental passenger planes it has on order. Meanwhile, the Korean military relies on a fleet of Boeing-made jet fighters, transport helicopters and Airborne Early Warning & Control, or AEW&C, aircraft for the country’s defense needs. It has also ordered Boeing’s Apache attack helicopter. Few countries have undergone so much change in such a short time. Korea, which boasts a 50 million population, offers skylines interspersed with ancient palaces and temples offset by futuristic-looking skyscrapers. It is an inviting yet ultra-competitive marketplace for aviation business, 40 Boeing Frontiers according to Eric John, Boeing Korea president. At the recent Paris Air Show, Korean Air ordered 102 jets worth $10 billion, 52 from Boeing and 50 from Airbus. Boeing’s long history with Korea is used to good advantage in sales campaigns, John explained. “What Boeing brings, in addition to what is a superior advantage in products and services, is a long-term and proven standard of commitment to Korea and to our customers and partners here. No other company in aerospace can provide that,” John said. Korea, which counts global economic powers China, Japan and Russia as neighbors, utilizes one of the world’s more spectacular and modernistic airports—Incheon International Airport, located 30 miles (48 kilometers) outside of Seoul. All of this makes Korea a strategic aviation hub, said Ryan Weir, Boeing Commercial Airplanes sales director for Korea’s Asiana Airlines and the country’s low-cost carriers. “Incheon Airport is one of the biggest competitive advantages the country has,” Weir said. “It’s extremely new and efficient. It’s the gateway to Asia.” Serving as a major hub in the region, Korea’s Incheon Airport links Boeing to key markets in Asia, including China and Southeast Asia, said Ihssane Mounir, vice president of Northeast Asia Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Korea is a very important market for Boeing in terms of long-term partnerships,” he said, “with opportunities for growth as airlines continue to modernize their fleets and services. In fact, the Korean commercial aviation market is fast approaching $100 billion in market share, which is on par with Japan.” Boeing and Korea have worked
Frontiers October 2015 Issue
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