A top Korean Air Lines official resigned after she delayed a flight for more than 10 minutes because she was dissatisfied with the way her macadamia nuts were served, Reuters reported.
On Friday, Heather Cho, head of in-flight service for Korea Air Lines, was at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport waiting for the plane to take off when a flight attendant brought macadamia nuts to her first-class seat, an unidentified industry official close to the matter said.
Apparently upset the nuts were served in a bag and not on a dish, Cho requested to speak with the cabin crew chief and asked if the flight attendant was following the flight's service manual, Reuters reported.
When the chief gave no immediate reply, Cho "took issue with the cabin crew chief's qualifications" and the South Korea-bound plane was diverted back to its gate to discharge the cabin crew chief. The Airbus A380 jumbo jet landed at its destination 11 minutes late as a result.
Korean Air apologized for the incident and said on Monday it was "excessive" for the plane to be returned when there was no emergency onboard.
"I am sorry to our customers and the Korean people that I unfortunately caused a social uproar and I ask forgiveness from anyone who has been hurt by me," Cho said according to a company official who spoke to Reuters.
"I take responsibility for the incident," Cho reportedly said.
South Korea's transport ministry is investigating the incident.
Cho, 40, is also an airline vice president as well as the oldest daughter of the airline's chairman, Cho Yang-ho, according to Reuters.
Though she is no longer head of in-flight service, the airline said Cho is to stay on as vice president.
