Korean Air and Delta Air Lines, in a collaborative effort, organized a beach cleanup on June 20th, 2024, to enhance the beauty of a popular California beach near the Santa Monica pier. This initiative, part of a team-building competition dubbed “Suits on the Sand,” aimed to remove litter from the shoreline. In partnership with Heal the Bay, a non-profit environmental organization, ten teams, each comprised of four members, actively participated in the cleanup. Their efforts resulted in the collection of hundreds of pounds of trash, including numerous cigarette butts, successfully restoring the beach to its pristine state.
This beach cleanup marks the third joint venture project Korean Air has undertaken with Delta Air Lines in the Los Angeles area. Previously, in 2019 and 2022, Korean Air and Delta collaborated to build Habitat for Humanity homes in downtown Los Angeles. This initiative is a testament to the Korean Air-Delta joint venture’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship. Over the past six years, the partnership has undertaken various projects, including building homes with Habitat for Humanity in Manila and Los Angeles, organizing a river clean-up in Seoul, and planting trees in Mongolia.
The event was not only about environmental conservation but also aimed at fostering teamwork and camaraderie among the employees. Participants had the opportunity to learn about marine pollution from a Heal the Bay educator, followed by engaging in interactive team-building activities. This provided a fun and competitive element to the day’s activities while promoting a shared goal of protecting the environment.
Heal the Bay, established in 1985, has dedicated itself to safeguarding Santa Monica Bay and its surrounding waters. Through initiatives like the “Suits on the Sand” competition, Heal the Bay continues its mission to preserve the natural beauty of California’s coastlines.
“This team-building project not only solidifies our airlines’ Joint Venture, but also supports our community outreach efforts in Southern California. Korean Air has been serving Los Angeles for more than 50 years and travelers visit from around the world to enjoy Los Angeles’ beautiful coastline. We’re honored to be protecting the area’s beauty,” stated In Joon Seo, Korean Air’s General Manager and Head of Passenger Business for the Americas.
Athar Khan, Delta’s Director of International Specialty Sales, echoed these sentiments, saying, “Delta and Korean Air joint venture partnership extends beyond business. It’s also about giving back to the communities where we live, work and serve. Having made strides in the Philippines, Mongolia and Korea, we are excited to bring our collected efforts to LA again. As one of our most significant markets, LA boasts a vibrant Korean community and Delta’s state-of-the-art airport facilities. We are proud to be back in LA to join forces and make our community contribution together.”
Korean Air and Delta Air Lines have maintained a strategic partnership for years, and in 2018, they announced the creation of what has become the world’s most comprehensive transpacific joint venture. This beach cleanup reinforces their commitment to environmental responsibility and community engagement, further strengthening their partnership beyond business endeavors.
