Korean Air was named the Air Transport Worlds 2021 Airline Award Winner.The annual Airline Industry Achievement Awards, which were established in 1974 by ATW, can be compared to the Academy Awards for the airline industry. The awards ceremony for this year will take place in Boston, U.S.A, on October 5, 2021.ATWs global panel of analysts and editors cited the company's exceptional leadership, its ability remain operationally profitable through the worst industry crisis, and its commitment to safetycustomer service excellence.We are honored to have been awarded ATW's Airline of the Year Award. This award is a tribute our employees for their dedication sacrifices and loyalty especially during the turbulent past year, stated Walter Cho, Chairman and CEO at Korean Air. I am so proud and grateful for our team. We've come a long ways and we are determined to be a respected, smart, resilient and sustainable leader in global aviation. As we connect the world, we will continue to provide excellence in flight. We are grateful to ATW for this award and for their continued industry leadership.Karen Walker, ATW Editor in Chief, stated that Korean Air and its dedicated team of employees have demonstrated excellence across all areas. We are proud of them and offer our sincere congratulations.Korean Air is more grateful for this years award than ever, since the global aviation industry has been suffering from an unprecedented crisis caused COVID-19.Korean Air is one among a few airlines that has recorded operating profits for four consecutive quarters, starting in the second quarter 2020 and ending in the first quarter 2021. The strategic decision was made by the airline to concentrate on cargo and maximize cargo operations via measures like converting passenger planes into freighters.Korean Air made the bold move to purchase Asiana Airlines, one of the largest deals in global aviation during the pandemic.The airline quickly responded to the pandemic by launching its Care First program. This program is designed to provide the best protection for customers during their entire journey, through improved hygiene and safety protocols. Skytrax awarded the carrier a 5-star safety rating, which is only one in a handful of global airlines that has achieved this recognition.Korean Air intends to consolidate its position in global aviation and will aim to be one of the top 10 airlines worldwide after acquiring and integrating Asiana Airlines.
