THE asiana Airlines' Pilots Union has requested that the European Commission investigate the suitability of Air Incheon as a buyer of Asiana Airlines' cargo business, reports the Korea Herald.
The move follows Korean Air's selection of Air Incheon as the preferred bidder for the sale of Asiana Airlines' global cargo freighter business, as part of its longstanding quest to acquire Asiana Airlines.
The union said it had asked the EU's antitrust regulator for a 'thorough review of Air Incheon's qualifications' to acquire the cargo business during a recent meeting. The union had reportedly visited Brussels to meet with EU officials charged with global business mergers.
The union emphasised that Asiana Airlines' cargo fleet is on average only three years from needing replacement, expressing concerns that 'a small cargo airline with no long-distance flight experience' might struggle to effectively manage the acquisition.
The union also suggested that Air Incheon consider hiring cargo pilots on a temporary contract basis rather than through direct succession, should the European Commission approve the merger.
The European Commission responded that the sale of Asiana Airlines' cargo business, as detailed in the merger terms, includes existing labour agreements with pilots, and therefore the regulator cannot intervene in employment matters between Korean Air and Asiana Airlines employees.
But it assured the union it would review the concerns and remain open to receiving additional information on the matter, as relayed by the pilots union.
Korean Air and Air Incheon have finalised their contract negotiations and are scheduled to sign the master agreement for the sale of Asiana's cargo arm.
SeaNews Turkey
The move follows Korean Air's selection of Air Incheon as the preferred bidder for the sale of Asiana Airlines' global cargo freighter business, as part of its longstanding quest to acquire Asiana Airlines.
The union said it had asked the EU's antitrust regulator for a 'thorough review of Air Incheon's qualifications' to acquire the cargo business during a recent meeting. The union had reportedly visited Brussels to meet with EU officials charged with global business mergers.
The union emphasised that Asiana Airlines' cargo fleet is on average only three years from needing replacement, expressing concerns that 'a small cargo airline with no long-distance flight experience' might struggle to effectively manage the acquisition.
The union also suggested that Air Incheon consider hiring cargo pilots on a temporary contract basis rather than through direct succession, should the European Commission approve the merger.
The European Commission responded that the sale of Asiana Airlines' cargo business, as detailed in the merger terms, includes existing labour agreements with pilots, and therefore the regulator cannot intervene in employment matters between Korean Air and Asiana Airlines employees.
But it assured the union it would review the concerns and remain open to receiving additional information on the matter, as relayed by the pilots union.
Korean Air and Air Incheon have finalised their contract negotiations and are scheduled to sign the master agreement for the sale of Asiana's cargo arm.
SeaNews Turkey
