The former Korean Air executive involved in a ‘nut rage’ incident aboard a flight departing from the US is said to be facing a criminal probe.
South Korea’s transport ministry said a criminal investigation will be filed against the daughter of Korean Air’s chairman, Cho Yang-Ho and disciplinary measures will be taken against the airline.
The chairman’s daughter, Heather Cho, caused public outrage when she forced a plane to turn around after a flight attendant failed to follow company procedure while serving macadamia nuts.
The transport ministry claims she ‘may have violated Article 23 of the Aviation Safety Law, which requires the co-operation of passengers on a flight’.
It believes the airline’s corporate culture could threaten the safety of passengers after Ms Cho overruled the captain to return to the gate at New York’s JFK airport and order a flight attendant off the plane.
Authorities are also investigating whether employees were encouraged to lie during a government probe.
Transport ministry director Lee Gwang-hee said Korean Air could face up to 21 days of flight suspensions or a $1.3 million fine for violating aviation law.
Ms Cho has publicly apologised and resigned from all her posts, both at Korean Air and at parent company Hanjin Group.
