The airline received the first unit on Feb. 13.
Airlines around the world are bringing the aircraft type back into service for almost two years grounding after two fatal crashes.
Boeing improved the plane’s troubled flight control system called MCAS, which was the cause of both crashes. The regulators reviewed and approved the updates made by Boeing allowing operators to return their grounded jets to the service.
Korean Air placed an order for a total of 30 737 MAX jets with Boeing in November 2015, but the deliveries were postponed due to months of safety investigations, improvements, and approval process.
Koreans come up with their own safety measures, dispatching a special maintenance team consisting of veteran engineers for routine checks and appointing pilots with more than 7,000 hours of flight experience to fly the new planes.
South Korea’s Transportation Ministry also plans to closely review the overall operation of airlines as it is joining simulator training and test flights.
There are currently 36 airlines operating the aircraft in 188 countries.
Korean Air expects to receive a total of six 737 MAX planes into this year 24 more until 2028.
“We will put all efforts for its safe operation under the supervision of the Transport Ministry. Our safety and security office will serve as a comprehensive control tower for the plane’s safe operation,” a Korean Air official said.
Boeing's newer-generation 737 MAXs are 15 percent more fuel-efficient compared to the previous generation 737 family jets. According to the manufacturer, the aircraft provides a 12 percent reduction in maintenance costs and 13 percent lower carbon emissions.
