Korea's Asiana Airlines to operate A380 in 2014

KOREA's Asiana Airlines will add six A380 aircraft, dubbed "flying hotels," to its fleet between 2014 and 2017.

Asiana Airlines CEO Yoon Young-doo said the carrier plans to operate the jumbo airliners on its long-distance routes linking Incheon and cities in North America and Europe, he said.

The A380 is a double-decker, four-engine plane that can carry up to 853 passengers.

Mr Yoon said the company decided to add the A380 to its fleet to meet soaring air cargo and passenger demand for long-distance routes between South Korea and the US and Europe.

"We achieved remarkable growth in 2010. To perform at an even faster pace this year and beyond, we need to nurture a new growth engine. We think the A380 will modernise our fleet and significantly bolster our international profile," Mr Yoon said.

Asiana now operates a fleet of 74 aircraft - 35 Airbuses 39 Boeings. Its larger domestic rival Korean Air is slated to put its first A380 into operation in May this year and plans to purchase nine more by 2014.
(Source:www.schednet.com)