Korean Air’s board and Asiana Airlines’ shareholders have formally approved their merger agreement, clearing a key step towards the launch of the combined airline on December 17, 2026.
Korean Air’s board ratified the agreement on August 12, under the small-scale consolidation provisions of Korea’s Commercial Act. At an extraordinary general meeting held the same day, Asiana shareholders also approved the transaction, with 99.3% of votes cast in favour. Shareholders representing 81.86% of shares attended the meeting.
The approvals formally ratify the consolidation agreement signed by the airlines’ boards in May. Following creditor protection procedures and remaining administrative steps, the corporate merger is scheduled to be registered on December 17.
Korean Air is meanwhile progressing its post-merger integration programme. The carrier received conditional merger approval from South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on June 25, followed by clearance of its merger registration statement on July 24.
Work is now under way on amendments to the airlines’ air operator certificates and international operating permits in consultation with regulators.
Korean Air and Asiana are also accelerating operational preparations, including systems integration, joint training and employee engagement ahead of the planned December launch.
