Korean Air has announced plans to acquire the remaining 80% stake in Korean Air C&D Service from Hahn & Company. This strategic buyback will restore the airline’s full ownership of its in flight catering and duty-free retail operations.

The transaction to acquire 5,010,343 shares, estimated at KRW 750 billion, was approved by Korean Air’s Board of Directors on March 12. After the agreement is finalized, Korean Air C&D Service will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary.

Bringing these essential services back in-house aims to guarantee a stable supply of in-flight meals and strengthen overall service competitiveness ahead of the upcoming launch of the integrated airline. Additionally, Korean Air plans to roll out upgraded in-flight duty-free offerings to further enhance the passenger experience. 

Korean Air previously divested an 80% stake in its in-flight catering and duty-free business to Hahn & Company in 2020 to secure liquidity during the COVID-19 pandemic, retaining a 20% share. With this acquisition, Korean Air successfully reclaims a core pillar of its customer service operations.

About Korean Air

Serving the world for more than 55 years, Korean Air is one of the world’s top 20 airlines, carrying more than 25 million passengers in 2025. With its global hub at Incheon International Airport (ICN), the airline serves 116 cities in 39 countries on five continents with a modern fleet of 165 aircraft and over 20,000 professional employees.

Korean Air’s outstanding performance and commitment to the highest level of safety and customer service has widely been recognized. The airline has been granted numerous awards including a 5-star airline rating from Skytrax as well as Airline of the Year from both Air Transport World and Airline Ratings. Korean Air is a founding member of the SkyTeam airline alliance, and has grown into one of the largest transpacific airlines through its joint venture with Delta Air Lines.

Featured image credited to Korean Air