Korean Air is set to unveil a new corporate logo (CI·Corporate Identity) and a new paint scheme to be applied to its passenger aircraft on the 11th, amid speculation that photos of an aircraft finished with the new paint have been leaked online.
According to the airline industry on the 10th, a Boeing 787-10 (HL8515) aircraft, presumed to be used for Korean Air's KE Rising Night event on the afternoon of the 9th, was spotted moving from Gimhae International Airport to Gimpo International Airport. KE Rising Night is an event where Korean Air, after completing its merger with Asiana Airlines last year, will announce its new CI and aircraft paint scheme.
This aircraft has been excluded from commercial operations since the end of last month, and is expected to have the new paint scheme applied starting on the 12th. On the day before at around 9:50 p.m., the airplane that left Gimhae Airport had only the English name of Korean Air (KOREAN AIR) and the word 'Korean' (KOREAN), which means 'of Korea,' written in a thin font instead of the vibrant Taeguk pattern. The Taeguk pattern itself was depicted with only a dark blue outline.
The design of the font used for the Taeguk pattern and the company name is similar to one that Hanjin KAL, the holding company of Korean Air, applied for with the Korean Intellectual Property Office in early 2022. Reactions on online communities regarding Korean Air's new paint scheme have been mixed. Some noted, "It's a bit awkward without the word 'AIR' but it's pretty. I will get used to it soon," while others commented, "The logo font is too light, creating an imbalance. It looks too similar to KLM Royal Dutch Airlines."
A representative from Korean Air stated, "We plan to announce the new CI and paint scheme on the 11th," adding, "We cannot confirm anything at this time."