Korean Air saw continued cargo growth in the first quarter of the year despite uncertainties in the current business environment.

The South Korean flag carrier said its cargo division recorded a first-quarter revenue of KRW 1.0540 trillion (US$738 million), up 6% year-on-year.

"Despite challenges such as U.S. tariff policies, robust demand persisted across core sectors including e-commerce, electronics, automotive parts and fresh exports from Korea," Korean Air said.

It noted that the airlines further strengthened cargo performance through agile capacity adjustments and strategic efforts to secure stable, long-term demand from key clients.

Overall, the airline recorded revenue of KRW 3.9559 trillion (US$2.6975 billion) for the first quarter of 2025, marking a 3% increase year-on-year.

Korean Air said the growth was driven by strong demand in both passenger and cargo sectors.

Operating profit for the quarter reached KRW 350.9 billion (US$239.3 million), a 19% decrease year-on-year, primarily due to higher operating costs related to the depreciation and maintenance of newly introduced aircraft and increased operating unit costs resulting from currency fluctuations.

"A key factor contributing to the rise in operating costs was the addition of new aircraft, with deliveries previously postponed due to the pandemic. These aircraft are part of Korean Air’s broader strategy to boost capacity and elevate service quality over the mid to long term," it said, adding that by deploying its latest aircraft, the airline aims to grow its global network, enhance the passenger experience, and strengthen overall profitability.

Looking ahead, Korean Air is taking a "wait-and-see" approach as it assesses the impact of the recent tariff on its cargo operations.