Korean Air reports Q3 profit surges more than tenfold on strong demand

Korean Air Co. announced that its net profit for the third quarter reached 929.7 billion won, a more than tenfold jump from the same period last year. The rise reflects a 12 percent increase in operating profit to 421.2 billion won and a 26 percent rise in total sales, which set a new quarterly record at 5.04 trillion won. Passenger revenue climbed by 496.3 billion won, buoyed by strong inbound travel to South Korea.

Cargo revenue also expanded by 365.6 billion won, driven by robust shipments of high-value items like semiconductors and AI-related products. The airline warned that higher fuel costs linked to Middle East tensions could pressure its passenger business later in the year. The figures were disclosed in a preliminary earnings report released on Thursday.