T'way Air
A South Korean low-cost airline operating domestic, regional, and long-haul passenger services.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
T'way Air is a South Korean low-cost airline headquartered in Seoul. The carrier operates scheduled domestic, regional, and long-haul passenger flights, with operating bases at Gimpo International Airport and Incheon International Airport. Its business is centered on relatively low-fare air travel, supported by a fleet strategy built around narrow-body Boeing 737 aircraft and, since 2022, larger Airbus A330 aircraft for longer routes. The airline traces its history to Hansung Airlines, which obtained a South Korean air operator's certificate in April 2005. Hansung began domestic services with ATR 72 turboprop aircraft on the Cheongju–Jeju route and planned a broader expansion using ATR 72-500 aircraft. Financial difficulties led the predecessor to stop operating in 2009. The business was subsequently reorganized and relaunched under the T'way Air name in 2010. The new airline was established on 8 August 2010 with two Boeing 737-800 aircraft and received authorization for domestic operations later that year. Scheduled flying began between Gimpo and Jeju. T'way obtained approval for international operations in 2011 and began its first international service to Bangkok in October of that year. It added cargo operations in 2013 and recorded its first profit during the same year. Over the following decade, the airline expanded its international network across East and Southeast Asia and increased its passenger volumes. In 2018, the carrier transported approximately 2.9 million domestic passengers and 4.2 million international passengers, and it was described as South Korea's third-largest low-cost carrier in the international market in 2019. The carrier began moving beyond the traditional short-haul low-cost model when it accepted its first Airbus A330 in April 2022. In October of that year, it announced a Seoul–Sydney service, representing its first long-haul connection. T'way subsequently expanded into Europe. In October 2024, it inaugurated Seoul–Frankfurt flights after receiving access associated with a concession arrangement connected to the proposed Korean Air–Asiana Airlines merger, in which both legacy airlines already served Frankfurt. The airline also announced plans to lease Boeing 777-300ER aircraft as an interim measure to support growth before delivery of Airbus A330neo aircraft. T'way's name has been explained as combining ideas associated with “together,” “today,” and “tomorrow.” The brand has therefore been used to express accessible travel and forward-looking growth while retaining a low-cost operating identity. Its route portfolio, aircraft acquisitions, and expansion into Australia and Europe indicate an effort to evolve from a primarily Korean domestic and short-haul carrier into a broader international airline. A proposed future rebrand to Trinity Airways following an acquisition by Daemyung Sono Group was reported as having received shareholder approval in March 2026, subject to regulatory approval; the planned change and its implementation remain separate from T'way Air's established operating history.
History
T'way Air's history begins with Hansung Airlines, a South Korean carrier that received its first air operator's certificate in April 2005. Hansung took delivery of an ATR 72 and began domestic service between Cheongju and Jeju. It intended to expand into international operations and ordered 20 ATR 72-500 aircraft, but financial difficulties prevented the planned development. The airline ceased operations in 2009. The business was reorganized and rebranded as T'way Air in 2010. The new airline was established on 8 August 2010 with two Boeing 737-800 aircraft. It obtained a new certificate for domestic operations in September and began scheduled flights between Gimpo International Airport and Jeju International Airport. The T'way name has been associated with the concepts of together, today, and tomorrow, reflecting a brand intended to combine accessibility with future growth. In 2011, T'way received authorization to operate internationally. It launched its first international route, to Bangkok, in October of that year. The airline continued expanding through regional routes and reported its first profit in 2013, when it also entered the cargo market. Its international network and passenger base grew substantially during the following years. By 2018, it had carried around 2.9 million domestic passengers and 4.2 million international passengers, making it one of South Korea's leading low-cost airlines by international traffic. The airline's later strategy involved moving into larger aircraft and longer routes. It received its first Airbus A330 in April 2022 and announced a Seoul–Sydney route in October of the same year. This represented a significant extension beyond the short- and medium-haul markets traditionally associated with South Korean low-cost carriers. T'way later added European service, inaugurating Seoul–Frankfurt flights in October 2024. The route was associated with a concession arrangement connected with the proposed Korean Air and Asiana Airlines merger, under which both airlines already served Frankfurt. To support its expansion while awaiting new aircraft, T'way announced plans to lease Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and later receive Airbus A330neo aircraft. T'way maintains a mixed partnership structure that has included codeshare arrangements with Eastar Jet and Tigerair Taiwan, as well as interline arrangements with Air Premia, ITA Airways, and Virgin Australia. These relationships can extend the usefulness of the carrier's network beyond routes operated directly under its own flight code. A later ownership development involved Daemyung Sono Group. Reference material describes a proposed rebranding as Trinity Airways, including a new aircraft livery with prominent front fuselage lettering, a gray lower fuselage, and a multicolored triangular tail mark. Shareholder approval was reported in March 2026, with the change conditional on regulatory approval and full implementation expected in the second half of 2026. Until that process is completed, T'way Air remains the established operating and commercial identity.
- 2026
Proposed Trinity Airways rebrand
[1]Shareholders reportedly approved a proposed change of name and visual identity, pending regulatory approval.
- 2024
European network expansion
[1]The carrier inaugurated Seoul–Frankfurt flights in October.
- 2022
Long-haul expansion begins
[1]T'way received its first Airbus A330 and announced a Seoul–Sydney route.
- 2013
First profit and cargo-market entry
[1]The airline achieved its first profit and launched cargo services.
- 2011
International operating authorization and Bangkok launch
[1]T'way received international authorization and commenced its first international route to Bangkok in October.
- 2010
T'way Air is established and relaunched
[1]The reorganized airline was established on 8 August with two Boeing 737-800 aircraft and later began domestic scheduled service.
- 2009
Hansung Airlines ceases operations
[1]Financial difficulties led the predecessor carrier to suspend operations.
- 2005
Hansung Airlines receives an air operator's certificate
[1]The predecessor airline obtained its first AOC and began preparing domestic operations.
- 2005
Hansung begins Cheongju–Jeju service
[1]Hansung Airlines started domestic flights with an ATR 72 turboprop aircraft.
Products and positioning
A value-oriented South Korean low-cost carrier combining domestic connectivity with expanding regional and long-haul international services.
Passenger airline services · 2010
Domestic passenger services
T'way Air's domestic network connects South Korean cities and islands, with the Gimpo–Jeju route serving as a foundational market. These services form the airline's original operating base and support the high-frequency leisure and visiting-friends-and-relatives traffic associated with Korean domestic aviation.
Passenger airline services · 2011
Regional international passenger services
Following its 2011 international authorization, T'way developed routes linking South Korea with destinations in East and Southeast Asia. The regional network is the core expression of its low-cost positioning, combining direct flights with partnerships that can provide additional connecting options.
Passenger airline services · 2022
Long-haul passenger services
The introduction of Airbus A330 aircraft enabled T'way to pursue longer routes beyond its traditional regional footprint. Seoul–Sydney was announced in 2022, followed by Seoul–Frankfurt service in 2024. The airline has also discussed interim Boeing 777-300ER leasing and future Airbus A330neo deliveries for expansion.
Cargo airline services · 2013
Air cargo services
T'way entered the cargo market in 2013, adding freight activity to its passenger-airline business. Detailed cargo product specifications and current cargo scale are not established in the supplied reference material.
Controversies
Brand decisions
2026
Approve proposed Trinity Airways rebrandM&ABackground
After reported acquisition by Daemyung Sono Group, the airline planned a new name and visual identity.
Action taken
Shareholders approved the proposed Trinity Airways name and livery change, subject to regulatory approval.
Aftermath
The reported rebrand was expected to begin in the second half of 2026, but its final completion depends on regulatory authorization.
2024
Expand into the European marketStrategyBackground
Route access became available through a concession arrangement associated with the proposed Korean Air–Asiana Airlines merger.
Action taken
T'way inaugurated Seoul–Frankfurt flights in October and announced plans to use leased Boeing 777-300ER aircraft while awaiting future Airbus A330neo deliveries.
Aftermath
The move extended the airline's network into Europe and supported its transition toward a broader long-haul model.
2022
Adopt Airbus A330 aircraft for long-haul growthGeneration changeBackground
T'way sought to extend its network beyond the short- and medium-haul routes commonly associated with low-cost carriers.
Action taken
The airline received its first Airbus A330 and announced a Seoul–Sydney route.
Aftermath
The aircraft acquisition and route announcement marked the beginning of T'way's long-haul development.
2010
Relaunch under the T'way Air brandStrategyBackground
The predecessor Hansung Airlines had ceased operations after financial difficulties in 2009.
Action taken
The business was reorganized and relaunched as T'way Air with two Boeing 737-800 aircraft and a new domestic operating certificate.
Aftermath
The relaunch restored operations and created the platform for later international expansion.
Recent events
South Korea fines three low-cost carriers for safety violations[2]
Reported:
South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport imposed a total of W810 million in fines on Jeju Air, T’way Air and Air Seoul for safety-rule violations.
Sources2 sources
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