In a tit-for-tat move, Amerijet International (M6, Miami International) has asked the US Department of Transportation (DOT) to halt a US foreign carrier permit application by Korean Air's wholly-owned subsidiary, K-Aviation, until Seoul approves a longstanding reciprocal application by the US cargo carrier to operate scheduled flights to South Korea.
In an October 18 statement to the DOT, Amerijet pointed out it has been waiting for seven months - since end-March 2023 - for the Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) to decide on its application, with the regulator making "redundant and unduly burdensome" requests for information. It said the MOLIT initially indicated it would grant Amerijet's licenses but reversed its decision following opposition from Korean Air, without the US carrier having been provided the opposing comments or been allowed to respond. Consequently, Amerijet has been limited to operating costly charter flights to South Korea, requiring monthly applications and often receiving approvals at the last moment. The airline's November charter flight application was pending before the MOLIT, which indicated it would also consider Amerijet's application for scheduled service alongside that request.
Amerijet charged that Seoul's dallying contravened the US-South Korea open skies agreement requirement for regulators to approve applications without undue delay.
On September 19, 2023, K-Aviation (KAA) applied for an exemption and foreign carrier permit to operate 12 one-way or round-trip charter flights ferrying passengers, property and mail between South Korea and the United States, including points beyond and behind, citing the open skies agreement.
According to its application, K-Aviation was established on December 23, 2021, as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Korean Air for business jet operations. It plans to sign long-term or membership charter contracts with three or more Korean multi-national companies and operate two in-house aircraft - a B737-700(BBJ) and a Bombardier Aerospace Global Express business jet - to worldwide locations, including the United States.
