Korean Air to start ground handling business in Japan next year - South Korean media

The Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported on the 17th that Korean Air will enter the ground handling business in Japan, responsible for aircraft guidance and ground operations at airports.
According to reports, Korean Air will begin operating special vehicles and transporting baggage at New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido from January next year.
The company plans to start operations at the airport in Tokyo, followed by other major airports in Japan in the future. The Nihon Keizai Shimbun explained that it is unusual for a foreign airline to operate a ground handling business in Japan.
According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan, there are currently about 400 companies in charge of ground handling in Japan.
The company has established a subsidiary called "Airport Service Japan." It plans to initially hire around 30 people, and then train its own personnel.
This is because there is a shortage of personnel to handle ground handling at international airports. Nikkei reported that "Korean Air's entry into the market may intensify the competition to secure personnel," and that "the labor shortage is an obstacle to the launch of international flights.
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