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Delta, Korean Air in Joint Venture Talks to Deepen Alliance

  • Move to help No. 2 U.S. carrier strengthen foothold in Asia
  • Korean Air and Delta are founding members of SkyTeam alliance
A Korean Air Airbus A380 airplane parked at a gate at Los Angeles international airport.

A Korean Air Airbus A380 airplane parked at a gate at Los Angeles international airport.

Photographer: Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images
Updated on

Korean Air Lines Co. is in talks with Delta Air Lines Inc. for a joint venture in a move that would give the second-largest U.S. carrier a bigger foothold in Asia where rising incomes are fueling a boom in air travel.

Details of the partnership would be disclosed later, the Asian airline’s President Walter Cho told reporters at a briefing in Seoul’s Incheon Airport Monday, declining to elaborate. It would be premature for Delta to comment on any future joint venture partnership, the carrier’s corporate communications department in Japan said in an e-mailed response to questions.