The Korean Air Lines executive who delayed her plane and forced a flight attendant to “kneel in shame” over the way she served macadamia nuts is in the slammer.
Cho Hyun-ah, 40, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with violation of the aviation safety law, coercion and interference in the execution of duty.
The daughter of the airline’s chairman kept her head low and uttered the words “I’m sorry” as South Korean prosecutors led her from their building to a local prison.
An unidentified Korean Air executive also was arrested, on charges of destroying evidence from the incident, authorities said.
The unwarranted “nut rage” and orders to return the plane to its gate at JFK Airport delayed the flight to Seoul on Dec. 5.
The nutty tantrum sparked widespread outrage — in the United States and South Korea — and led Hyun-ah to resign from her position with the airline.
The reason for her outburst: the tiny treats were served in a bag, not in a bowl.
Hyun-ah also was accused of jabbing a head flight attendant with a file folder — but has denied assaulting him.
Her father, Korean Air Chairman Cho Yang-Ho, apologized earlier this month for his daughter’s “foolish act,” blaming himself for failing to raise her properly.
The South Korean Transport Ministry vowed to sanction the Korean Air with a flight ban.
The punishment will most likely be implemented on the New York-Seoul route and could last for up to a month — unless the airline coughs up $2 million in fines.
