Korea's T’Way boosts Zagreb service, brings forward launch

Korean low cost carrier T’Way Air has brought forward the introduction of its planned new service between Seoul and Zagreb, which will operate via Bishkek on the outbound leg, as previously exclusively reported by EX-YU Aviation New. Furthermore, the carrier has increased frequencies based on its originally filed schedule, although the flight times remain unchanged and can be viewed here. T’Way Air now plans to run three weekly rotations between Seoul and Zagreb, exercising the maximum traffic rights it has been granted by Korean authorities for the Zagreb service. Flights are due to commence on May 16, with tickets expected to go on sale shortly. The airline will utilise a 347-seat Airbus A330-300 aircraft on the route.

T'Way Air will be one of the winners of Korean Air’s and Asiana’s planned mega-merger. The European Union has in principle given its approval for the merger to go ahead, however, it has put forward a condition for a number of European slots held by either of the two to be granted to T’Way Air to alley competition concerns. As a result, the low cost airline has been given rights to commence operations to Paris, Frankfurt, Rome, and Barcelona from June. Due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, and the inability for Korean carriers to fly over Russian airspace due to sanctions, T’Way’s existing A330-300 fleet will be unable to reach western European markets without a stop. Therefore, the airline is considering wet-leasing Korean Air’s A330-200s, which have a greater range than the -300 series, and would be able to make the journey without a stop.

T’Way Air’s technical stopover in Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan on its planned new Zagreb service will be made for the same reason. However, the carrier has said the return journey from Zagreb to Seoul will be able to operate nonstop due to the shorter flight time and westerly winds. The carrier’s A330-300 aircraft have twelve seats in business class and 335 in economy. The airline operates on a low cost model, with all meals and drinks in both business and economy class available for purchase. Other amenities such as blankets and pillows can also be purchased, while there is no onboard entertainment.