Korean Air's new mileage redemption scheme draws anger amid Yoon's war on oligopolies

Korean Air's new mileage redemption policy has not only drawn a backlash from air travelers, but also received criticism from the government, increasing the possibility that the air carrier may become the next target of the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, which has so far slammed banks and telecommunication firms for enjoying benefits from the oligopolistic hold over their respective markets. Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong, who oversees the aviation industry, wrote on Facebook on Wednesday evening that Korean Air's new plan is apparently intended to drastically cut the value of miles its customers have accrued. "Even though the company enjoyed record earnings, it is neglecting its customers," the minister said. "It is difficult for consumers to earn miles and use their mileage. In addition, they have been virtually unable to use their mileage over the past three years, due to COVID-19." Under the new policy that will come into effect on April 1, Korean Air will demand more miles from its customers in order to get long-distance flight tickets, because its mileage redemption scheme will be based on flight distance, instead of regions. Those who seek Award Tickets for prestige-class seats for the Incheon-New York route, for example, will need 90,000 miles, instead of the 62,500 miles that were needed under the previous policy. The air carrier had initially sought to implement the new policy a couple of years ago, but it delayed the plan after the spread of the coronavirus.<br/>