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South Korea watchdog rejects Korean Air mileage integration plan
June 13th 2025
South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission (FTC) has turned down Korean Air’s (KAL) plan to integrate mileage points with Asiana Airlines. Read More » The Korea Times reports the FTC said KAL’s submission needs to be “immediately revised and supplemented”. The merger of the mileage programs was one of the most controversial issues for the high profile integration of the two carriers because KAL’s mileage points are typically valued higher in the market. However, the flag carrier cannot apply the market value as it could result in a backlash from Asiana’s customers. The FTC said KAL’s submission means Asiana Airlines mileage usage areas are more limited compared with pre-merger. “It is not the right time for us to make public the detailed mileage integration plan,” the FTC said. It added it may accept opinions from interested parties and experts in due course. KAL is expected to submit an updated mileage integration proposal, but it will take at least a few months for the FTC to complete its review and rule on a new proposal.
