T’way Air has decided to build a hangar facility as the first among domestic low-cost carriers (LCCs). A hangar is a building where an airline stores its aircraft and conducts maintenance and inspections. Until now, only full-service carriers (FSCs) had hangars, but T’way Air plans to enhance its aircraft maintenance capabilities to boost its competitiveness.
On the 27th, T’way Air announced that it plans to build a new hangar at Incheon International Airport's advanced complex aviation district. It intends to spend about 1.522 trillion won on constructing the hangar and aims to enter the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) business. Funding methods and construction periods have not yet been determined.
The advanced complex aviation district at Incheon International Airport is under construction with a goal for completion in February 2026. T’way Air plans to construct the hangar after the district is completed, aiming for 2027 and beyond. The advantages of having a hangar include aircraft protection, ease of maintenance and inspections, and cost savings. However, establishing a hangar requires numerous permits, such as land sales and compliance with airport and aerodrome facility regulations, which has deterred LCCs from entering this sector.
T’way Air appears to need the hangar facility as it plans to introduce five new aircraft, the A330-900 Neo, which is a wide-body aircraft with more than two internal aisles, starting next year. The A330-900 Neo, which has about 340 seats, is evaluated as an eco-friendly aircraft that can reduce carbon emissions due to its long range and high fuel efficiency. T’way Air plans to employ this aircraft on medium to long-haul routes in Europe, the United States, and Canada in the future.
With the establishment of an LCC hangar at Incheon International Airport's advanced complex aviation district, there is also the possibility that other airlines will entrust their MRO business to T’way Air. Currently, LCCs inspect their aircraft at runways and parking areas, and in cases of significant repairs, they often send them to overseas maintenance providers. It is said that they have contracts scheduled for years with overseas maintenance companies due to the need for regular maintenance.
There are instances where urgent repairs are needed, but maintenance slots cannot be found. The 'Rotary Wing Flight Center' built in Sacheon, Gyeongnam, was established to recognize this demand. The Rotary Wing Flight Center, completed in August of this year, includes a five-story building, a hangar for storing helicopters, and a 700-meter runway. It also plans to construct a second hangar, aiming for completion in March next year.
A T’way Air official noted, "By building a new hangar, we plan to strengthen our aircraft maintenance capabilities, enhance our price competitiveness, and promote aviation safety," adding, "We expect synergy effects as we bring in the new A330-900 Neo while constructing the hangar."