SOUTH KOREAN industrial conglomerate Samsung is seeking to purchase two long-range wide-body passenger aircraft, ostensibly for company use, but raising the fears of Korean Air (KAL) and Asiana that it intends to establish a rival third national carrier.
Samsung is understood to be discussing the purchase of either two Airbus A340-200s or a pair of Boeing 767-200ERs. Avro and Fokker have also been approached to supply smaller 70- to 100-seat regional jets.
Samsung has denied suggestions that it plans to establish an airline, claiming instead that the aircraft are intended to meet the domestic and international air-transportation needs of its 180,000-strong organisation and so reduce travel costs.
The company also transports by air many of its high-value electronics products, such as semiconductors, between factories and to overseas markets. A combi-configured aircraft is considered the preferred solution, according to a company source.
Its explanation, however, has failed to satisfy either KAL or Asiana. Sceptics point to the company's recent controversial expansion into car production, after having previously continually denied any such plans.
Samsung is known to want to invest in air transportation, to compete more effectively, with its main Aerospace Manufacturing rival, KAL. "They're looking to compete in all sectors, both as an aircraft manufacturer and an airline operator," says a local source.
Earlier speculation had centred on Samsung acquiring a stake in privately owned Asiana Airlines. Two state-owed South Korean banks, holding a collective 21.5%, have been seeking to divest their interests in Asiana.
Alternatively, say South Korean sources, the purchase of its own aircraft will give Samsung operational experience and possibly an air-operator certificate with which later to expand and launch a scheduled commercial airline.
Samsung Aerospace already operates a non-scheduled helicopter service within South Korea, using Bell 412s, which the company also assembles.
Source: Flight International
