Korean Air Lines apologised on Tuesday for inconveniencing passengers after the daughter of its chairman ordered a crew member off a flight for serving bagged nuts in the first-class cabin.
South Korean daily Segye Ilbo reported on Monday that the flight from New York City to Incheon returned to the gate after Cho Hyun-ah told the head of cabin crew to leave the plane. The report said Ms. Cho quarrelled with crew in the first-class cabin and the flight departed 20 minutes late.
Ms. Cho is vice-president responsible for cabin service at the airline. She is the oldest child of Korean Air chairman Cho Yang-ho.
Korean Air Lines confirmed that Flight 086 was delayed at John F. Kennedy airport due to the nut incident. But the company said the decision to disembark the crew member was made by the flight’s captain.
South Korea’s government said it is investigating whether Ms. Cho violated aviation safety law. She could face legal action if the probe shows that she interrupted the flight or endangered safety by using threats, her status or violence.
Korean Air Lines Co. said on Tuesday it was “natural” for Ms. Cho to fault crew’s ignorance of procedures.
