Asiana Airlines sues Gategroup

Asiana Airlines has filed a complaint with the prosecution against Gategroup for allegedly colluding with former Kumho Asiana Group Chairman Park Sam-koo, while filing a civil lawsuit to nullify its 30-year in-flight meal contract with the Swiss catering service provider, according to industry officials, Monday. The series of legal actions are viewed as part of Asiana's efforts to minimize potential damage to Korean Air, which has been pushing ahead with its acquisition of the nation's second-largest air carrier. Asiana confirmed that the criminal and civil suits had been filed in March and January, respectively, although it declined to comment on the ongoing litigations. The carrier reportedly suspects Gategroup's former Chairman Xavier Rossinyol, former Asia-Pacific President Jann Fisch and two other top executives had colluded with Park, when he allowed the Swiss company to pay only 133.3b won ($105m) in 2016 for the exclusive right to serve its in-flight meals on Asiana's planes until 2047. At that time, the exclusive right was estimated to be worth around 500b won. Park has been on trial for the allegation of asking Gategroup to acquire 160b won worth of bonds with warrants for cash-strapped Kumho Buslines, in exchange for securing the exclusive right to serve in-flight meals.<br/>