Korean Air and Asiana Followed by Domestic LCC's First Flight
Slot Adjustment Underway... Flights May Begin as Early as Next Month
[Asia Economy Reporter Dongwoo Lee] T'way Air is set to become the first domestic low-cost carrier (LCC) to operate the Incheon?Singapore route under the travel bubble (safe travel zone) agreement. The company plans to gradually expand its international routes in line with the "With Corona" (phased return to normal life) policy, starting with flights to Singapore.
According to the aviation industry on the 10th, T'way Air officially opened a local office in Singapore on the 8th. The company has completed the dispatch of the Singapore branch manager and has begun full-scale preparations aiming for flights next month.
The company is currently coordinating the slots (number of aircraft takeoffs and landings per hour) for this route with Incheon Airport and Singapore Changi Airport. The initially proposed slots are in the early morning hours, but the company is reviewing more convenient time slots for passengers.
Once slot adjustments are finalized, T'way Air plans to initially deploy its existing B737 aircraft and, upon introducing the mid-to-large A330-300 aircraft early next year, will commence full-scale operations. The airline also intends to actively utilize this route for air cargo business.
Previously, T'way Air proactively responded to the expansion of international passenger demand by resuming flights on the Incheon?Saipan and Incheon?Guam routes in July. From February to May next year, the company plans to introduce a total of three A330-300 aircraft to expand its reach to medium- and long-haul routes such as Sydney, Australia; Croatia; and Honolulu.
The A330-300 aircraft that T'way Air will newly operate is a model currently flown by about 770 aircraft across 65 airlines worldwide, with a maximum range of up to 11,750 km.
A T'way Air official stated, "We have decided to operate the Singapore travel bubble route and are discussing detailed plans for the operation."
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