Korean Air to lead SkyTeam safety policy group

Apr 29, 2026, 10:01 am

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A Korean Air B787-10 aircraft / Courtesy of Korean Air

Korean Air has been selected to lead aviation safety policies within the global airline alliance SkyTeam, strengthening its international leadership as it moves toward full integration with Asiana Airlines.

The airline announced on April 29 that it has been elected as the chair airline of SkyTeam’s Safety, Security and Quality (SSQ) advisory group.

As part of this role, Bennett Allen Walsh, head of Korean Air’s Aviation Safety and Security Division, will serve as SSQ chair for a two-year term.

The SSQ chair airline is chosen through consensus among SkyTeam’s 18 member carriers. It is responsible for advising on safety, security, and quality policies applied across all member airlines, while promoting collaboration to enhance global aviation standards.

Korean Air plans to work closely with the SkyTeam board to advance key safety initiatives and share best practices among members. The airline will focus particularly on strengthening international guidelines for in-flight use of portable batteries—an issue that has recently gained global attention—and on standardizing emergency response procedures, including organizational roles and protocols during crises.

A Korean Air official said, “This appointment will serve as an opportunity to further solidify our influence within SkyTeam and enhance our global competitiveness by strengthening cooperation among member airlines.”

Founded in 2000 by Korean Air, Delta Air Lines, Air France, and Aeroméxico, SkyTeam currently consists of 18 member airlines, offering a global network that connects 945 destinations across 145 countries.

#Korean Air #SkyTeam #SSQ #aviation safety #airline alliance