October 2015 41 together since the country separated from North Korea at the end of World War II . Korean National Airlines began ferrying passengers soon after in 1948 in four DC-3s and two DC-4s, built by heritage company Douglas. During the 1950–53 Korean War, the Boeing-related presence was unmistakable. The U.S. Air Force supported United Nations forces flying missions using the F-86 Sabre, P-51 Mustang, Douglas Skyraider, Douglas A-26 Invader and McDonnell F-2H Banshee, each of which was a Boeing heritage aircraft. In 1967, Korean Air Lines (now Korean Air) put its first jetliner into service, a Douglas DC-9, followed by a Boeing 707 two years later, effectively launching the country’s modern commercial aviation business. KAL also was one of the first to operate the 747, helping usher in the jumbo jet era, and the first to own both 747 passenger and freighter jets. Korea is especially attractive as an aerospace customer because all major carriers do business there, the country ranks as China’s No. 1 international travel destination, and its Gimpo-Jeju Island route is one of the most heavily traveled globally, according to Boeing employees who interact with the country. Indeed, the Asia-Pacific region is projected to be the world’s fastestgrowing aviation market, according to the Boeing Commercial Market Outlook, ordering a possible 13,460 new airplanes and generating $2 trillion in market value through 2033—nearly double the anticipated needs of the next-closest geographical region. The majority of the commercial airplanes flown by the country’s airlines are Boeing-made. Korean Air operates 89 Boeing passenger jets, plus it has 28 freighters, among them the new 747-8F. Asiana Airlines has 34 Boeing commercial jets and freighters, including 12 777-200ERs (Extended Range). Jeju Air operates 20 737-800s. Jin Air recently took delivery of its first new 737-800 and operates 14 737-800s. Air Busan, T’way Air and Eastar Jet operate 30 more 737s. An expanding Korean cargo market could drive future airplane sales for Boeing; flight-training services is another area showing great promise, with Boeing and Korean Air working together to open a new training facility Photos: (Far left) With afterburners red hot, a Korean F-15 prepares to take off. Ron Bookout | Boeing (Above) Two Republic of Korea F-15K fighters fly over Wake Island en route to Korea during their delivery flight. boeing
Frontiers October 2015 Issue
To see the actual publication please follow the link above