This image provided by T’way Air shows a company aircraft. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jun. 14 (Korea Bizwire) — Hundreds of international travelers using T’way Air, a South Korean budget air carrier, have experienced flight delays this week due to apparent maintenance issues with its aircraft, according to the company Friday.
T’way Air flight TW283, which was scheduled to depart from Incheon International Airport to Osaka at around noon Thursday, was delayed by more than 11 hours due to a mechanical issue discovered during pre-flight preparations.
Due to the delay, 204 out of the 310 passengers who intended to board this flight canceled their tickets. The company offered refunds to those, while providing 100,000 won (US$73) each to the 106 other passengers in compensation.
The company’s separate flight TW184 from Bangkok to Cheongju, 112 kilometers southeast of Seoul, was also delayed for about 20 hours on Thursday due to a defective part in the engine.
South Korea’s transport ministry has carried out an investigation since December in response to a notable increase in flight cancellations and delays by T’way Air last year.
Authorities plan to decide on administrative measures against T’way Air after concluding the investigation.
T’way Air is set to take over four routes connecting South Korea with major European cities — Frankfurt, Paris, Rome and Barcelona — from industry leader Korean Air Co., as part of conditions set by the European Union over Korean Air’s envisioned merger with No. 2 player Asiana Airlines Inc.
The airline plans to begin operating flights to Paris next month and gradually expand to the other three routes.
(Yonhap)
