Korean Air reports record sales. Hanwha raises Korean Air stock target to KRW 43,000

Published on 10/25/2026 at 02:06 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

Korean Air's third-quarter revenue rose 25.9 percent to KRW 5.0448 trillion. Hanwha set a KRW 43,000 target for Korean Air stock on October 12.

Integration date and earnings scale

Korean Air recorded KRW 5.0448 trillion in third-quarter revenue on October 15, 2026.
Hanwha Securities set a KRW 43,000 target on October 12, 2026.
Integrated Korean Air is scheduled to launch on December 17, 2026.

Korean Air, KR7003490000, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

Korean Air (KR7003490000) posted record third-quarter revenue of KRW 5.0448 trillion on October 15, 2026, while Hanwha Securities raised its target for the airline to KRW 43,000. The results strengthen the earnings case ahead of the planned integration with Asiana Airlines.

Revenue reaches a quarterly record

According to Korean Air, third-quarter revenue increased 25.9 percent from a year earlier to KRW 5.0448 trillion. Operating profit rose 11.9 percent to KRW 421.2 billion, while net income reached KRW 929.7 billion. Passenger revenue rose 20.5 percent to KRW 2.9174 trillion and cargo revenue climbed 34.3 percent to KRW 1.4323 trillion.

Three steps shaped the stock story

On October 2, 2026, LS Securities raised its target to KRW 40,000 and projected third-quarter revenue of KRW 5.1487 trillion, according to Aju Press. On October 12, 2026, Hanwha Securities lifted its target to KRW 43,000 from a previous level, with estimated revenue of KRW 5.232 trillion and operating profit of KRW 522 billion, ChosunBiz reported. On October 15, 2026, Korean Air published its record third-quarter revenue and KRW 421.2 billion operating profit.

What does the 8.3 percent margin mean?

The operating result grew year over year, but the operating margin fell to 8.3 percent from 9.4 percent in the third quarter of 2025. The Korea Herald said higher fuel costs kept pressure on profitability despite stronger passenger and cargo demand. Fuel costs rose 67 percent year over year to KRW 1.6962 trillion, according to ChosunBiz.

Integration date is December 17

Korean Air said the integrated airline is scheduled to launch on December 17, 2026. The company expects route optimization, maintenance savings and purchasing efficiencies to support the combined network, while fourth-quarter fuel costs remain an important operating factor.

KRX close sets the market reference

The last KRX close was KRW 25,800 on October 23, 2026. The figure places the latest completed-session market reference below Hanwha Securities' KRW 43,000 target, although the two figures represent different currencies and venues.