[THE INVESTOR] Hana Financial Investment forecast on Sept.27 that Korean Air -- the nation’s largest commercial airline -- is likely to post record-breaking earnings in the third quarter this year.

Its revenue is estimated to rise 8.9 percent on-year to 3.2 trillion won (US$2.89 billion), while operating profit will surge 68.9 percent to 488.7 billion won.

Consequently, the carrier’s second-half operating profit is set to reach 724 billion won.




Code-sharing services with Delta Airlines to commence in November is also expected to lead to more passengers and profit, Hana added in the report.

By Kim Ji-hyun (jemmie@heraldcorp.com)