Korean Air, Asiana, mutual transfer procedures possible... Integration'first step'

Passengers using a transfer between Korean Air and Asiana Airlines will be able to transfer without separate check-in through the first check-in procedure.

The two airlines, which have competed as the No. 1 and No. 2 airlines in Korea, are preparing for integration through priority service cooperation.

Korean Air announced on the 15th that it has started the Inter Airline Through Check-In (IATCI) service with Asiana Airlines.

Consolidated check-in is a service in which the transit passenger performs one check-in procedure at the first airline without allocating a seat for the connecting flight, issuing a boarding pass, and checking baggage to the final destination.

For example, passengers who depart from Boston, USA, via Incheon, and transfer to Almaty, Kazakhstan with Asiana Airlines on a Korean Air flight, will have their baggage linked and boarding pass issued for both sectors at the Korean Air counter at Boston Airport.

Previously, boarding passes were issued only to Incheon at the Boston Korean Air counter, and after arriving at Incheon Airport, boarding procedures for the Incheon-Almata section had to be re-checked at the Asiana Airlines transfer counter.

Check-in for connecting is possible from 48 hours before departure time.

In 2019, the number of transit passengers between the two companies at Incheon International Airport is about 12,000.

Consolidated check-in service agreements between airlines are common, but the integration process is expected to accelerate as service agreements are signed between the two companies ahead of Korean Air's acquisition of Asiana Airlines.

Korean Air has entered into connection check-in service agreements with 49 major airlines around the world, including Delta Air Lines and Air France.

A Korean Air official said, "We will be able to receive more convenient services for transit passengers using connecting flights between the two companies," and said, "We will continue to provide services that can enhance customer convenience through the integration of the two companies."

(Photo = Yonhap News)