Korean Air Finalizes US$44.8 Billion Agreements for 103 Boeing Aircraft and GE/CFM Engines, Completing the Plan Announced in Washington in August 2025

Press release summary: On September 16, 2026, Korean Air Co. announced that it had finalized agreements worth about 60 trillion won (US$44.8 billion) to purchase 103 Boeing aircraft, together with engines from GE Aerospace and CFM International. The aircraft package, valued at $36.2 billion, comprises 20 Boeing 777-9s, 25 Boeing 787-10s, 50 Boeing 737-10s and eight Boeing 777-8F freighters, while separate agreements worth about $8.6 billion cover 21 spare engines and 15-year engine maintenance services for 28 aircraft. The signing ceremony in Seoul on September 15, 2026 completed the procurement plan first announced in Washington, D.C., in August 2025.

SEOUL, Sep 16, 2026 — Korean Air Co. said Wednesday it has finalized agreements worth about 60 trillion won (US$44.8 billion) to purchase 103 Boeing aircraft and engines from GE Aerospace and CFM International, according to the company's announcement reported by Yonhap News Agency.

Key figures of the agreements

• Total value: about 60 trillion won (US$44.8 billion) covering aircraft, engines and long-term maintenance.
• Aircraft: 103 Boeing jets for $36.2 billion — 20 777-9s, 25 787-10s, 50 737-10s and eight 777-8F freighters.
• Engines and services: agreements worth about $8.6 billion with GE Aerospace and CFM International for 21 spare engines and 15-year engine maintenance services covering 28 aircraft.
• Ceremony: signed in Seoul on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, attended by company executives and government officials from South Korea and the United States.
• Timeline: completes the procurement plan announced in Washington, D.C., in August 2025.
• Strategic goal: a stable, long-term fleet introduction schedule and capacity growth following the planned integration with Asiana Airlines in December.

Fleet composition: 103 aircraft across four types

The $36.2 billion aircraft agreement spans four Boeing types. Twenty 777-9s and 25 787-10s are widebody aircraft for long-haul routes; the 50 737-10s belong to the single-aisle family; and the eight 777-8F freighters extend cargo capacity. Taken together, the order addresses both the passenger and the freight side of Korean Air's operation.

Engines and 15-year maintenance

Alongside the airframes, Korean Air finalized agreements worth about $8.6 billion with GE Aerospace and CFM International. They cover 21 spare engines and 15-year engine maintenance services for 28 aircraft, tying long-term engine support to the newly purchased fleet.

Signing ceremony in Seoul

The agreements were signed at a ceremony held in Seoul on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, attended by company executives and government officials from South Korea and the United States. According to a photo provided by Korean Air, the ceremony brought together Walter Cho, chairman of Hanjin Group; Michelle Steel, U.S. ambassador to South Korea; Kim Jung-kwan, South Korea's minister of trade, industry and resources; and Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The event completed the procurement plan the carrier first announced in Washington, D.C., in August 2025.

Management comment

"Bringing our Washington agreements to the finish line today is a proud moment for Korean Air," said Walter Cho, CEO of Korean Air and chairman of Hanjin Group. "This is much more than a business deal. It is a testament to the trust and the unbreakable alliance between our two countries."

Capacity growth and the Asiana integration

Korean Air said the investment will secure a stable, long-term fleet introduction schedule and support capacity growth following its planned integration with Asiana Airlines in December. The combination of new aircraft, spare engines and 15-year maintenance coverage is intended to underpin the enlarged carrier's operations after the integration.

Company and contacts

Korean Air Co. (Korean Air), Seoul, South Korea; part of the Hanjin Group chaired by Walter Cho.

Contact: corporate communications of Korean Air Co. — the agreements were announced by the company and reported by Yonhap News Agency (reporter Kim Eun-jung); the source article published no corporate phone or e-mail contacts, and none are invented here.

Website: https://www.koreanair.com/