Korean Air hosts global predictive maintenance workshop

 (Seoul, April 23, 2026) — Korean Air hosted the "2026 Predictive Maintenance Airline Workshop" from April 22 to 23 at its headquarters in Seoul. The workshop convened approximately 70 representatives from 20 global carriers, including Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, WestJet, All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Swiss International Air Lines, to establish a global network for predictive maintenance operations and expertise.

Strategic focus on operational reliability

In his keynote address, Jong Seok Yoo, Korean Air’s Executive Vice President and Chief Safety & Operating Officer (CSO), emphasized the necessity of data-driven maintenance.

“In an increasingly complex operational environment, predictive maintenance is essential for airline sustainability,” said Jong Seok Yoo. “Developing an optimized predictive maintenance framework is a challenge that no single carrier can address alone. This workshop aims to build the partnerships required to enhance safety and operational efficiency across the aviation industry.”

Technical exchange and facility inspections

On April 22, participants discussed the collection and processing of flight-generated big data. The sessions focused on identifying key success factors for implementing predictive maintenance across various fleet types. Attendees also visited Korean Air’s Engine Test Cell (ETC) and Flight Training Center in Incheon.

On April 23, the attendees shared user experiences with commercial solutions and airline proprietary failure-prediction models, followed by a forum on emerging technical trends. 

Advancing smart MRO capabilities

Predictive maintenance involves analyzing real-time flight data to identify potential component or system anomalies before a failure occurs. This proactive approach reduces maintenance downtime and minimizes flight disruptions caused by technical defects.

Korean Air was the first in the Korean aviation industry to establish a dedicated predictive maintenance team. By integrating predictive maintenance into its core maintenance operations, the airline has significantly improved aircraft reliability and reduced the frequency of unscheduled maintenance events.

This workshop establishes a framework for ongoing technical exchange among global carriers. By utilizing these cross-border partnerships, Korean Air will continue to expand its data-sharing initiatives to refine its maintenance ecosystem and advance industry-wide safety standards.

Tags: Jong Seok Yoo Korean Air 2026 Predictive Maintenance Airline Workshop