Korean Air (KE, Seoul Incheon) has received conditional approval from South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) to merge with Asiana Airlines (OZ, Seoul Incheon), clearing the final domestic regulatory hurdle for the transaction.

The airline said it will complete the remaining procedures with the goal of formally merging on December 17, 2026.

The approval was granted under Article 22 of the Aviation Business Act, which requires ministerial approval for mergers involving domestic and international air carriers. MOLIT said it reviewed the application against licensing standards equivalent to those for a new airline and attached conditions requiring the future integration of overseas safety licences.

Korean Air first announced plans to acquire Asiana in November 2020 and completed the acquisition in December 2024, making the carrier its subsidiary. Before doing so, it secured approvals from 13 overseas competition authorities, including those in the United States, the European Union, and Japan, as well as corporate combination approval from the Korea Fair Trade Commission.

MOLIT described the transaction as the first merger between South Korean airlines and said it would closely supervise the integration because of its impact on the country's aviation market.

As previously reported by ch-aviation, Korean Air and Asiana Airlines signed their merger agreement in May 2026, after their boards approved the transaction. Korean Air plans to absorb all of Asiana's assets, liabilities, and employees, while Asiana shareholders are due to vote on the merger in August.