Korean Air Pilots Go On Strike Affecting Flights

About 190 pilots of the Korea's flagship airline, Korean Air, went on a strike last Saturday, December 17, 2016, to demand a wage increase. So far, there were about 20 international flights and 64 domestic flights that were affected by the said strike.

Among the international flights that were put to a halt because of the incident are those that connect Korea to Japan, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Domestic flights going and coming from airports of Gimhae, Ulsan, Yeosu, Jeju and Gimpo were also affected.

The said strike is also said to affect December 22 to 26 flights. Thus, those who have booked an international flight with the airline on the said date were advised to look for alternative itineraries.

The airline, however, maintained an operation rate of 97%, claimed the company. Most of it flights remained unaffected, they said.

The strike was organized by Korean Airs' pilots' union. The wages dispute behind the said strike had started last year when the union demanded a 37% increase. This was later reduced to 29%, however, the company stood firm in their decision not to grant more than 1.9% increase as previously agreed between the company and the general employees' union.

Out of 2,700 Korean Air pilots, 190 joined the strike, threatening to continue doing so until December 31.

The Minister of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport Kang Ho-in met CEOs of the nation's nine airlines, including Korean Air with regards to the threat. He ordered an emergency control committee to start operating on Dec. 20. He even allowed the airlines to use planes not yet commissioned for regular flights if necessary.

"The CEOs should be adamant that flight safety must be maintained," Kang said at the meeting, according to YTN. 

"Safety must be considered the foremost administrative principle," he added.

The minister put emphasis on safety after 4 service-related flight incidents took place in the country within this month alone.