First Attempt
The first attempt to establish a Korea-based airline was in 1948 with the advent of Korea National Airlines. Because of the economic state of post-world war Korea, however, the airline did not receive enough business and soon went under.
Second Attempt
In 1962 Korea tried to form an airline again, this time depending on intergovernmental support for business. This poorly managed enterprise failed as well.
Third Attempt
Finally, in 1969 Korean Airlines, the same company in operation today, was established.
Flight 007
Korean Airlines made international news when, in 1983, its flight from Anchorage to Seoul was shot down over the Sea of Japan by Soviet interceptors. A navigational error caused the plane to accidentally enter prohibited Soviet air space.
Today
Korean Airlines web service members now exceed five million people. Its services extend all over the globe, winning multiple airline services awards in the United States and abroad.