Air Incheon, the South Korean cargo carrier, has made a significant move in its global expansion strategy by applying for permission to operate scheduled and charter flights to the United States. This marks a pivotal step in the airline’s mission to broaden its international presence and bolster its cargo operations worldwide.
On January 3, 2025, Air Incheon submitted a formal request to the U.S. Department of Transportation for a foreign air carrier permit and an exemption, allowing the airline to conduct scheduled and on-demand charter transportation of property, mail, and cargo. The approval would grant Air Incheon the ability to expand its reach into one of the world’s largest and most competitive air cargo markets, with plans to launch operations in the U.S. on July 1, 2025.
To kickstart its U.S. operations, Air Incheon intends to deploy a fleet of Boeing 747-400 and Boeing 767 freighters, which will serve a range of high-demand routes. These include: Incheon-Anchorage-Chicago O’Hare-Dallas Fort Worth-Seattle; Incheon–Anchorage-Chicago O’Hare-Atlanta; Incheon-Los Angeles-San Francisco; and Incheon–Anchorage–JFK–Brussels. The airline also plans to introduce a direct Incheon-Los Angeles route, utilizing either the 747-400F or Boeing 767F freighters.
In its bid to meet growing demand, Air Incheon has already identified 10 Boeing 747-400 freighters and a single Boeing 767-300 freighter, which it plans to incorporate once it completes the acquisition of Asiana Airlines’ cargo division. This expansion will be pivotal in enhancing Air Incheon’s operational capacity and positioning the carrier as a key player in the global air freight industry.
Air Incheon’s U.S. expansion is just one part of its broader strategy to extend its global network. Last month, the airline announced that it had secured new traffic rights for several key European and Asian destinations, including Belgium, Milan, Rome, Thailand, and Singapore, as part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport’s latest allocation meeting. These new routes further bolster Air Incheon’s commitment to strengthening its international footprint.
However, the most significant development in Air Incheon’s growth story is its acquisition of Asiana Airlines’ cargo division. In November 2024, the European Commission approved the sale of Asiana Airlines’ cargo operations to Air Incheon as part of the conditions for Korean Air’s acquisition of Asiana Airlines, a $1.3 billion deal finalized last month. The Commission had stipulated that Korean Air would need to divest Asiana’s cargo business to preserve competition, particularly between South Korea and Europe.
In August 2024, Air Incheon was selected as the preferred bidder for Asiana’s cargo business, agreeing to a deal valued at approximately $342 million. Following this, the two parties signed a “basic business sale agreement” in a move that will significantly enhance Air Incheon’s capacity and competitiveness in the global cargo market.
The acquisition of Asiana’s cargo operations is expected to yield significant benefits for Air Incheon, particularly in terms of expanding its global network and operational scale. This strategic acquisition aligns with the airline’s long-term goals of becoming a major global cargo player, as it integrates the resources, infrastructure, and traffic rights of Asiana Airlines.
With its sights set on global expansion, Air Incheon is positioning itself as a force to be reckoned with in the air cargo industry. The combination of new U.S. routes, expanded European and Asian traffic rights, and the integration of Asiana’s cargo business will give the airline a robust foundation for future growth, ensuring its place on the global stage for years to come.
