As the launch of the merged Korean Air approaches in less than five months, intense competition over pilot seniority is unfolding.
According to industry sources on July 22, the Korean Air pilots' union has decided to resume discussions with management regarding the reestablishment of seniority. The two sides are expected to meet by next week at the latest. The last time they discussed seniority was in March. Seniority is a key criterion that determines not only the order of captain promotions but also aircraft types, monthly flight hours, and wage structures.
The Korean Air pilots' union is revisiting this issue after about four months due to the impending merger. Korean Air and Asiana Airlines are set to complete their merger on December 17. Following the merger, pilots from both airlines will adhere to a unified seniority system, raising concerns about potential disadvantages for some.
The Asiana pilots' union is also ramping up efforts ahead of the seniority integration. Starting July 23, the union will hold a vote on the reestablishment of seniority related to captain promotions. If the proposal passes by July 30, they plan to formally present it to management. Previously, the union had only communicated general opinions but is now taking steps to demand specific changes.
The main focus is on advancing the promotion timeline for civilian co-pilots. Currently, even if pilots join in the same year, military pilots receive promotion orders based on their hire date, while civilian pilots are assigned a promotion order four years later. This means military pilots typically become captains more quickly. The proposal aims to reduce this gap to two years. Korean Air has reportedly already minimized the differences between military and civilian pilots.
With the merger of Korean Air, civilian co-pilots from Asiana may find their promotion timelines pushed back significantly. This has led to calls within the Asiana pilots' union for a reexamination of seniority. There are approximately 890 members in the Asiana pilots' union, with about half being civilian pilots.
However, it remains uncertain whether this proposal will be realized. The company has stated that seniority falls under its personnel authority and has not actively solicited pilots' opinions. Additionally, changing the promotion criteria for civilian co-pilots could lead to backlash from other pilots whose promotion timelines would be delayed.
An industry insider noted, "Korean and Asiana pilots are already anticipating delays in captain promotions due to the increase in personnel after the merger. The company will likely aim to quietly finalize the integration, including seniority issues."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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