Korean Air Air Cargo Profile
Review verified carrier details, codes, cargo operations, hubs, fleet information, and network coverage where available.
Korean Air
IATA: KEKorean Air Cargo, freight arm of South Korea's flag carrier and a SkyTeam Cargo founder, flying about 23 freighters from Incheon.
Korean Air Cargo is the air freight division of Korean Air, the flag carrier of South Korea, which was founded in 1962 as Korean Air Lines and taken over by the Hanjin Group in 1969. It remains part of Hanjin Group through the Hanjin KAL holding structure. The carrier operates under IATA code KE and ICAO code KAL. Korean Air was a founding member of the SkyTeam alliance in 2000 and of SkyTeam Cargo, and its cargo arm ranked as the world's number one international cargo carrier by IATA freight tonne-kilometers from 2004 to 2009.
Korean Air at a glance
- Cargo division
- Korean Air Cargo
- Headquarters
- Seoul, South Korea
- Founded
- 1962
- IATA / ICAO code
- KE / KAL
- Cargo fleet
- Around 23 dedicated freighters as of 2024 to 2025: roughly 12 Boeing 777F, 7 Boeing 747-8F, and 4 Boeing 747-400ERF. Belly capacity is added by a wide-body passenger fleet of Boeing 777, 787 and Airbus A330/A350 aircraft. On order for fleet renewal are 7 Airbus A350F and 8 Boeing 777-8F freighters (deliveries later this decade).
- Cargo hubs
- Seoul Incheon (ICN); overseas cargo terminals at Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK), Tokyo (NRT) and Osaka (KIX)
- Parent group
- Hanjin Group
- Alliance
- SkyTeam
- Main cargo routes
- Transpacific (Asia to North America), Europe to Asia, Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia and Latin America
- Official website
- cargo.koreanair.com
About Korean Air
Korean Air Cargo is the air freight division of Korean Air, the flag carrier of South Korea, which was founded in 1962 as Korean Air Lines and taken over by the Hanjin Group in 1969. It remains part of Hanjin Group through the Hanjin KAL holding structure. The carrier operates under IATA code KE and ICAO code KAL. Korean Air was a founding member of the SkyTeam alliance in 2000 and of SkyTeam Cargo, and its cargo arm ranked as the world's number one international cargo carrier by IATA freight tonne-kilometers from 2004 to 2009.
The freighter fleet numbers roughly 23 dedicated aircraft, built around approximately 12 Boeing 777Fs, 7 Boeing 747-8Fs and 4 Boeing 747-400ERFs, making Korean Air one of the largest 747 freighter operators. Additional lift comes from the belly holds of its wide-body passenger aircraft. For fleet renewal, the airline has ordered 7 Airbus A350F freighters and 8 Boeing 777-8Fs. In 2024 Korean Air Cargo carried on the order of 8.7 billion cargo tonne-kilometers, keeping it among the top ten cargo airlines worldwide.
The primary cargo hub is Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN), a leading Northeast Asian freight gateway with high-capacity terminals, a dedicated Cool Cargo Center for temperature-controlled goods, and overseas cargo terminals in Los Angeles, New York, Tokyo and Osaka. Core lanes run transpacific between Asia and North America, between Europe and Asia, and across intra-Asian markets, with strength in electronics, automotive and semiconductor logistics. The carrier holds IATA CEIV Pharma and CEIV Lithium Battery certifications. In December 2024 Korean Air completed its acquisition of Asiana Airlines, consolidating South Korea's air cargo sector.
Using this airline profile
Use the IATA and ICAO codes, cargo division, hubs, and network information on this page to identify the operating carrier and confirm shipment details with Korean Air or your freight forwarder.
Korean Air air cargo FAQ
Where is Korean Air Cargo based and what is its main hub?
Korean Air Cargo is the freight division of Korean Air, headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. Its primary cargo hub is Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN), supported by overseas cargo terminals in Los Angeles, New York, Tokyo and Osaka.
What freighter aircraft does Korean Air Cargo operate?
As of 2024 to 2025 the carrier runs around 23 dedicated freighters, mainly Boeing 777Fs, Boeing 747-8Fs and Boeing 747-400ERFs, plus belly capacity in its wide-body passenger fleet. It has ordered Airbus A350F and Boeing 777-8F freighters for renewal.
What are Korean Air's IATA and ICAO codes, and its alliance?
Korean Air uses IATA code KE and ICAO code KAL. It is a founding member of the SkyTeam alliance and SkyTeam Cargo, and its cargo brand is Korean Air Cargo.