[Courtesy of Asiana]
SEOUL -- Asiana Airlines CEO Kim Soo-cheon apologized Tuesday for an unexpected shortage of in-flight meals that caused delays in the airline's international flights this week and complaints from passengers.
The shortage began on Sunday when Asiana, one of South Korea's two main flag carriers, forged a three-month temporary meal catering deal with Sharp DO&CO after a fire gutted the factory of its previous contractor, Gate Gourmet Korea.
The new company is relatively small and capable of producing up about 20,000 meals a day while the former contractor produced about 30,000 meals. Asiana said it took more time for the inexperienced new company to pack and deliver meals to the airport in the western port city of Incheon.
"I sincerely apologize for causing inconveniences to customers," Kim said Tuesday in a statement published on Asiana's website, adding the shortage of meals was attributable to a sudden change in Asiana's food catering companies.
On Sunday, 53 out of Asiana's 80 international flights were delayed for more than an hour because meals were not delivered on time. More than 30 flights bound for China and Japan left without food and hungry passengers were given food vouchers worth up to $50.
International flights were also delayed Monday and Tuesday. Asiana promised to solve its meal shortage quickly by using other catering companies.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
