Korea's only dedicated cargo airline Air Incheon is preparing to launch a unified operation next July following its acquisition of Asiana Airlines' cargo division with Kim Kwan-sik appointed CEO to lead the effort.

According to aviation officials on Tuesday, Kim, Air Incheon's former senior vice president and chief financial officer, is a seasoned financial expert with extensive experience in finance and accounting within the Kumho Asiana Group. He assumed his new role on Dec. 11.

Kim graduated from Jeonbuk National University with a degree in business administration and began his career at Kumho Tire in 1993.

In 2000, he transitioned to the Kumho Asiana Group’s strategic management headquarters. Over the years, he held several key positions, including CFO of Kumho Tire’s US subsidiary in 2008, head of the accounting team in 2013 and CFO of its Chinese subsidiary in 2017.

In 2018, Kim became the CEO of KF, a facility management company under the Kumho Asiana Group. In June of that year, he joined marine engine manufacturer HSD Engine (now Hanwha Engine) as vice president and CFO, completing his term in February 2023.

On Nov. 12, Kim joined Air Incheon following a recommendation by Socius Private Equity, the airline’s largest shareholder, and was promoted to CEO within a month.

Industry observers expect the new CEO to enhance Air Incheon’s financial stability post-merger and spearhead the integration process.

Air Incheon plans to finalize the transfer agreement for Asiana Airlines' cargo division on Jan. 16 next year. Following the agreement, the company intends to initiate the required approval and licensing processes for cargo transportation, aiming to officially launch the unified Air Incheon on July 1.

By Kim Hae-yeon (hykim@heraldcorp.com)