Korean Air executive quits over 'nut snack rage'

The Korean Air executive who delayed a plane because she was unhappy with the way a pre-flight snack was served to her in the first class cabin has resigned.

Heather Cho, a vice-president of the airline and eldest daughter of its chairman, Cho Yang-ho, had demanded an air steward be removed from a New York-to-Seoul flight last Friday after she was served macadamia nuts in a paper bag instead of on a plate.

The plane had to taxi back to the terminal in New York.

The airline defended Ms Cho, saying that she checking the quality of in-flight services was part of her responsibilities.

But South Korean transport authorities are investigating whether her actions infringed aviation law, given that she was a passenger at the time of the incident.

Korean Air also issued an apology on Ms Cho's behalf, South Korean news agency Yonhap reports.

"I will take full responsibility for the incident and step down from my post," she is quoted as saying.

A Korean Air spokesman said today Ms Cho stepped down from the airline's catering and in-flight sales business, and its cabin service and hotel business divisions — but she is keeping her title as vice-president.