T'way Air's cargo transport business is continuing to grow. Some said the airline has succeeded in diversifying its passenger-centered business structure.
T'way Air said on the 6th that its air cargo volume in the first half of this year totaled about 18,000 tons. That is up 37% from the same period last year (13,000 tons).
Earlier, T'way Air logged annual cargo volume of 34,000 tons last year, doubling from the previous year. The results stemmed from expanding its cargo business using the large A330-300 and adding medium- and long-haul routes to Europe and North America.
The range of transported items is also diversifying. T'way Air increased the share of high value-added cargo, including e-commerce goods, semiconductor manufacturing components, and fresh food, in addition to general cargo. It also strengthened cold chain (low-temperature distribution) capabilities for temperature-sensitive cargo such as pharmaceuticals and bio products.
The expansion of long-haul routes is also cited as a driver of cargo growth. As medium- and long-haul routes, including European destinations such as Paris, Rome, Barcelona and Frankfurt, as well as Sydney and Vancouver, became established, the belly cargo business carrying passengers and freight together also expanded.
T'way Air expects cargo demand to keep rising in the second half of this year as well. It plans to further boost cargo competitiveness by sequentially introducing the next-generation A330-900neo.
A T'way Air official said, "We plan to continuously strengthen the competitiveness of our cargo business by expanding partnerships with global air cargo partners."