Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, the two biggest carriers in Korea, gave final approval to their merger on August 12th.

The combined airline will be known as Korean Air. An official launch date has been set for December 17th of this year. This will mark the end of Asiana Airlines after 38 years.

The new Korean Air will operate a fleet of 230 airplanes. It is expected to become the world’s 11th-largest airline in terms of international passenger traffic.

Currently, the two airlines have numerous overlapping flights, departing for the same destination at similar times. These flight times will be spread out. This move is expected to give consumers increased booking options.

There are, however, consumer concerns over plans to combine the airlines’ loyalty programs. Two proposals have already been rejected by the Fair Trade Commission.* A third proposal is currently under review.

Worries include a loss of mileage value and more competition when booking seats with mileage. If the plan is not approved by December 17th, the two loyalty programs will continue to operate separately.

* Fair Trade Commission 공정거래위원회