이미지 확대 South Korea’s No.2 full-service carrier Asiana Airlines Inc. has filed a lawsuit against the former management of Switzerland’s Gategroup for breach of trust in regard to an 30-year exclusive deal on in-flight meals made under former group chairman Park Sam-koo.
According to industry sources on Monday, Asiana Airlines brought the case against former executives of Gategroup to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office in March.
Park is currently on trial for striking a 30-year exclusive in-flight catering contract with the Swiss on extremely favorable terms of guaranteeing profit until 2047 at just 133.3 billion won ($105.4 million).
The deal is suspected to have been in return for the Swiss company’s purchase of bonds with warrant issued by Asiana Airlines for liquidity-strained Kumho Buslines.
Asiana Airlines concluded that Gategroup conspired with Park and filed another suit to nullify the 30-year contract. As long as the contract is valid, Asiana Airlines would have to guarantee profit in in-flight catering business for Gategroup even after its integration into Korean Air Lines Co.
Asiana Airlines shares fell 0.49 percent to close at 20,150 won in Seoul trading on Monday, and Korean Air Lines down 0.66 percent at 29,950 won.
By Pulse
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