Asiana Airlines.
Welcome to a New World!
A world
above the clouds. Where the traveler's needs and expectations
are graciously fulfilled. Where East and West, tradition and
technology join in harmony to create a momentous travel
experience. Where your journey can be as eagerly anticipated
as the destination. Asiana, the Jewel of Asia. Your
bridge to Asia and to the world. Your bridge to the future.
The
opening lines of an Asiana prospectus immediately reveal its
personality and its desire to fulfill a single goal. Create a
world-class airline today to meet the demands of the 21st century,
the new millennium. Today, because of a single-minded
determination to succeed and an irreversible commitment to three
distinct principles of performance, reliability, and service, the
launch to become the world's most modern airline is a reality
fulfilled. Indeed, this was no mean feat for an airline barely
12 years old, with humble beginnings in February 1988 as Korea's
second civil air carrier, which had to grow under the intimidating
shadows of an older, bigger and fierce competitor not unlike a
predator in the wilderness, and for many years in Korea's modern
history the only airline the country's population knew. Doubts
lingered in the minds of most Koreans that a young upstart like
Asiana would be able to take-off. But barely five years after
flying its first aircraft, Asiana registered its 20th millionth
passenger on November 18, 1993.
Asiana
today flies over the skies of Asia and sub-continent, America,
Oceania, and Pacific. Soon it will spread its wings again back
to Europe through the major gateways of Paris, Frankfurt, London and
Rome. To date still the world's youngest fleet, an average age
per aircraft of 3.48 years, Asiana counts as one of the world's 40
major airlines. Its cargo revenues now ranks 13th largest
globally. The remarkable recovery of the Korean economy from
the devastating Asian financial crisis gave Asiana the impetus to
recreate a leaner but stronger organization and a calibrated fleet
expansion that would meet the requirements of its planned routes.
Ten
months after formation, in November 1988, Asiana started with one
airplane, flying to and from Korea's major cities of Seoul, Pusan
and Kwangju. In December 1989, Asiana made its first
international charter flight to historic Manila and a few weeks
after, celebrated the inauguration of its first international route
from Seoul to Tokyo. Today, the airline commands a fleet of 50
latest Boeings and Airbuses towards the end of the year 2000.
Asiana will become the dominant carrier between Korea and China,
with flights to 16 destinations in Asia's largest economy.
Asiana's
goal has always been to be the most reliable airline in the world,
and in the words of its CEO, Mr. Sam Koo Park, who said when he
visited Manila in November of 1999, their goal is "not to
become the biggest but the best". Indeed this was not an
empty boast. While Asiana carries an overall 98.2% on-time
record, its B-737 fleet has the best on-time record in the world of
99.81%. It is this commitment to safety and reliability that
considerable resources were invested into developing the finest
maintenance facilities, having one of the world's most advanced
fully-automated maintenance centers to provide direct and instant
access to equipment, parts and machinery, and run the world's best
trained maintenance crews.
Asiana's
cockpit crew undergo intensive training programs designed
specifically for the airline. Pilots ranked among the most
experienced and have worked for other top international
airlines. Virtual reality B747, B767, and B737 flight
simulators are part of the facility and information network is
shared with other leading international carriers. Cabin crew
represents a blend of Western and Asian cultures and are college
graduates, carefully selected for personality. appearance, aptitude
and intelligence.
Onboard
service, from the testimony of many who have flown Asiana, has often
been likened to that of a five-star hotel. From the finest
wine list to a menu learned from the culinary capitals of the world,
Asiana's goal is to make every passenger feel pampered and make
travelling a pleasant experience.
The
airline's frequent flyer mileage program, the Asiana Club, offers
the most generous rewards system. Its most unique feature is
to allow family accumulation of travel points, usable by any member
of the family to the 3rd generation. Asiana will soon become a
member of the prestigious one-World Alliance, along with BA, Qantas,
AA and Cathay Pacific.
Asiana.
Its beautiful wings leaving white traces in the blue skies.
Rainbow colors fill the sky as Asiana's wing s cross country borders
and continents. Helping build one world.
The Lighthouse Volume VI, No. 2, September 2000 Table of Contents
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