Code One

Code One is the name of the Republic of Korea Air Force aircraft which carries the President of South Korea. The current aircraft is a specially upgraded Boeing 747-8I leased from Korean Air. [1]

The former Code One plane landing at Brussels Airport in Belgium, 2018

Historically, the lease for Code One has been filled by either Korean Air or Asiana Airlines. It was reported in 2018 that Korean Air's lease expires in March 2021 and that a bidding process was open to secure a new lease. Government officials said that low-cost carriers might be requested to submit bids, in addition to those requested by Asiana Airlines and Korean Air.[2]

The aircraft has undergone a "full-scale renovation" which will include "decorating the exterior", as well as customising the interior to include a sleeping area and office, as well as reinforcement to protect the president's security.[3]

The current presidential plane has been in service since January 2022 after extensive retrofitting and inspection. There is also an identical plane of the same type that will travel with the president at all times for security purposes and to act as a backup in case of an emergency.[4]

  1. ^ Charpentreau, Clement (2022-01-18). "South Korea's new 'Code One' presidential aircraft enters service". AeroTime Hub. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  2. ^ Kim, Da-sol (July 5, 2018). "Presidential Plane Bid to Open as Code One Lease Contract Nears End". The Korea Herald.
  3. ^ Kim, Da-sol (July 5, 2018). "Presidential Plane Bid to Open as Code One Lease Contract Nears End". The Korea Herald.
  4. ^ "S. Korea to lease Korean Air's B747-8i as new presidential plane". Yonhap News Agency. May 29, 2020.