Korean Air Lines

KAL/Korean Air Lines is the flag carrier airline of South Korea and one of the leading airlines in Asia. Founded in 1962, Korean Air has grown significantly over the decades, becoming a global player in commercial aviation. Today, the airline employs over 18,000 people and transports more than 20 million passengers annually, offering both domestic and international flight networks.

In its early years of operation, Korean Air was established as a government-owned company, with the goal of creating a national airline to connect South Korea to the rest of the world. In 1969, the airline replaced KNA (Korean National Airlines), the national airline that had been founded in 1946 after the division of the Korean Peninsula. However, KNA struggled financially and ultimately went bankrupt, which led to its dissolution. As a result, Korean Air Lines was absorbed by Hanjin Transport Group, a South Korean conglomerate, and transformed into a private company. From that point on, the airline began to expand its fleet and international routes.

In 1984, Korean Air took an important step in its modernization by adding two aircraft from the Fokker F-28 Mk.4000 series, part of the short-range aircraft manufactured by the Dutch company Fokker. These aircraft, with a capacity for 65 to 85 passengers, were primarily used on domestic flights within South Korea, covering some of the country's most high-demand routes. These flights connected Seoul (Gimpo Airport) with other key cities like Busan (Gimhae Airport), Daegu (Daegu Airport), and Jeju (Jeju International Airport).

Jeju, in particular, became a popular destination for domestic tourism, and the Fokker F-28 was ideal for serving the high demand on these short-haul routes. Its operational efficiency, combined with its relatively small capacity, allowed it to operate at smaller or lower-capacity airports, providing a significant operational advantage.

Taking advantage of the arrival of these new aircraft, the airline also decided to refresh its corporate image. On March 1, 1984, Korean Air introduced a new livery for its aircraft, featuring the distinctive blue design on the upper fuselage, which gave the airline a more modern and distinctive visual identity. Furthermore, the airline used this opportunity to change its official name to the current Korean Air, replacing the previous Korean Air Lines, consolidating its brand internationally.

One of the most significant elements of this rebranding was the introduction of a new logo for the airline, the Taegeuk, which represents the duality of the universe in Korean philosophy (similar to the Taiji concept in Chinese culture). The Taegeuk is also a symbol closely tied to Taekwondo, the national martial art of Korea, and its presence in the airline’s new identity reflected both national pride and a desire to project a modern, competitive image. The first aircraft to feature this new name and livery was none other than the Fokker F-28 Fellowship.

In 1987, the airline acquired two additional second-hand Fokker F-28 units. While these aircraft were already several years old, they continued to operate efficiently on regional routes. The Fokker F-28, though smaller compared to wide-body jets, played a crucial role in the operation of regional flights, particularly on routes that did not justify the use of larger aircraft.

The Fokker F-28 Fellowship remained a key part of Korean Air’s fleet until the early 1990s, when the airline decided to move towards larger and more modern aircraft to strengthen its regional fleet. In 1992, Korean Air introduced 12 Fokker 100s, the direct evolution of the Fokker F-28, which proved to be ideal for regional flights, thanks to its larger capacity and better operational features.

Fleet Details:

* 11203 HL7265 Mk.4000 ex PH-EXP dd. 29Jun84 rmt. PH-RRC Fokker 1993.

* 11219 HL7270 Mk.4000 ex PH-EZR dd. 17Jun85 rmt. PH-RRA Fokker 1992.

* 11221 HL7284 Mk.4000 ex N282MP dd Sep87 li. w/o. Nov89.

* 11223 HL7285 Mk.4000 ex N281MP dd. Ago87. rmt. PH-RRB Fokker 1992.

These Fokker F-28s were part of a varied fleet and played a vital role in Korean Air’s operations during the 1980s and 1990s. After their retirement, they were replaced by larger and more efficient models, but the legacy of the Fokker F-28 remains an important chapter in the airline's history.