Korean Air Lines exec resigns over nut dispute

In this Sept. 2014 photo, Cho Hyun-ah, Korean Air’s vice president responsible for cabin service and the oldest child of Korean Air chairman Cho Yang-ho, answers reporters’ question during a news conference in Incheon, west of Seoul, South Korea. AP

SEOUL, South Korea — A top executive of Korean Air Lines resigned Tuesday amid mounting public criticism that she delayed a plane over how she was served macadamia nuts.

Company officials said that Chairman Cho Yang-ho has accepted the resignation of Cho Hyun-ah, his eldest daughter and an executive vice president.

The junior Cho was under public fire following media revelations that a recent Korean Air Lines flight from New York to South Korea returned to the gate because she ordered a senior crew member off the plane. Cho was angered that she was served bagged macadamia nuts instead of nuts on a plate.

The airline had apologized for inconveniencing passengers. But it also said it was “natural” for Cho to fault crew’s ignorance of procedures.