Korean budget airline eyes Budapest in major European expansion

South Korea’s budget airline T’way is expanding its long-haul network to include Europe, with plans to operate Airbus A330-900neo aircraft on new routes by 2026. Key cities for expansion include Budapest (Hungary), Prague (Czechia), and Istanbul (Türkiye).

T’way’s planned European expansion

Earlier this month, T’way launched its Seoul-Frankfurt route, AIRportal.hu reports. According to CEO Jeong Hong-Geun, the airline has seen a strong average seat occupancy of 85% on this route from the start, prompting the airline to increase the frequency to daily flights to Frankfurt by next summer.

Jeong also announced plans to add new routes to Budapest, Prague, and Istanbul, which are increasingly popular destinations among South Korean travellers.

Photo: byeangel/Wikimedia Commons

According to AIRportal.hu, the South Korean budget airline’s European expansion follows the European Commission’s conditional approval of the Korean Air and Asiana Airlines merger, which required the surrender of some of their flight slots and rights. Additionally, Korean Air has transferred several wide-body aircraft to T’way, enhancing its fleet for long-haul services.

The South Korean budget airline to boost its European routes

This year, T’way added Frankfurt, Paris, Rome, and Barcelona to its European destinations using Airbus A330-200 aircraft, with a seasonal route to Zagreb as well. For summer 2025, the airline plans to increase Frankfurt flights from four per week to six by late April and then to daily flights starting in May.

In Paris, flights will increase from three to five weekly in late April, with the Boeing 777-300ER, a larger aircraft, replacing the A330-200 on this route. Rome will also see a boost from four to seven weekly flights, with three of these served by the Boeing 777-300ER. Barcelona will maintain its four weekly flights with the A330-200.

T’way’s expansion beyond Europe

Beyond Europe, the budget airline is targeting North American cities, including Vancouver, Los Angeles, Seattle, and San Francisco, as part of its expansion plans. The airline is also modernising its fleet, securing a lease agreement with Avolon for five new Airbus A330-900neo aircraft, equipped with next-generation engines, set to arrive in spring 2026.

Though a low-cost carrier, T’way is unique among budget airlines for its focus on expanding its cargo operations. This approach supplements revenue on long-haul routes with high demand for air freight.

Currently, direct flights between Seoul and Budapest are operated by Korean Air and Poland’s LOT. For the 2024/25 winter schedule, Korean Air will offer three flights per week, and LOT will operate two. Both airlines plan to return to four weekly flights next summer, according to their schedules.

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