South Korean low-cost carrier T’way Air (IATA: TW; ICAO: TWB) is set to broaden its European footprint, announcing new routes to Rome and Barcelona. The carrier’s entry into these markets is made possible through competition remedies linked to the proposed Korean Air-Asiana merger.
- Agreed Routes: In an agreement with the European Commission (EC) reached in February, Korean Air will provide T’way with launch support and airport slots for specific routes. These routes include services from Seoul to Barcelona, Frankfurt, Paris, and Rome.
- Launch Dates:
- Rome: Beginning August 8th, T’way will operate three weekly flights from Seoul to Rome.
- Barcelona: Starting September 11th, three weekly flights will be from Seoul to Barcelona.
- Frankfurt: Expected to commence in October, although no specific date or ticket sales have been announced yet.
- Paris: Pending further negotiations due to air service agreements but now cleared to proceed.
T’way has started ticket sales for the Rome and Barcelona routes, utilizing Airbus A330 aircraft for these flights. The airline, which initially announced approximate service start times, must begin these routes before the Korean-Asiana merger progresses, as stipulated by the EC.
- Additional Route Considerations: The Paris route faced delays due to French aviation officials’ objections, given that current agreements allow only two Korean carriers on this route, currently served by Korean Air and Asiana. This complication is now resolved following an agreement between Korean and French officials, permitting T’way to commence Paris flights.
T’way’s existing European presence includes a route to Zagreb, Croatia, launched on May 16. The airline mainly operates medium-haul routes across Southeast Asia, Japan, and China.
- Fleet Details: T’way’s fleet comprises around 30 Boeing narrowbodies and three A330-300s. Korean Air is anticipated to lease additional A330s to support T’way’s new European routes.
With these developments, T’way Air continues to enhance its international offerings, expanding its reach into major European markets with enhanced support from Korean Air.
