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Asiana Airlines |
[Alpha Biz= Reporter Kim Jisun] The Asiana Airlines Pilots' Union has sent a letter to the European Union (EU) competition authorities opposing the merger with Korean Air.
On the 9th, the Asiana Airlines Pilots' Union stated that they sent an official letter to the EU Commission the previous day, expressing opposition to Korean Air's acquisition and advocating for the sale to a third party.
The union also sent the same letter to the 'Star Alliance Pilots Association' (ASAP), a pilot organization within the airline alliance that Asiana Airlines is a member of.
In February, the EU conditionally approved the merger on the premise of the divestiture of Asiana Airlines' cargo business. Korean Air aims to complete the sale process within this year to secure final approval.
The union explained the reason for sending the letter, stating, "We have requested three meetings with Korean Air to discuss employment and working conditions after the merger, but have been ignored. Korean Air is pushing forward with a merger that puts Asiana Airlines workers in a state of job insecurity."
The union particularly criticized Korean Air for selecting Air Incheon as the preferred bidder for the cargo business, arguing that it is an attempt to sell to a small airline that cannot grow into a future competitor.
Some cargo pilots have indicated that they would rather resign than transfer their employment to Air Incheon. Currently, about 70 out of approximately 200 pilots have submitted resignation letters to the union.
AlphaBIZ Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
