South Korean carrier T’Way is planning to extend its operations to Europe, with the airline adding two new destinations – Rome and Barcelona.
The Incheon-Rome route will be operated three times a week (Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday) from 8th of August. Meanwhile, the Incheon-Barcelona route will be operated three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) from 11th of September
Planned operations are as follows:
Seoul – Rome
DEPART ICN 12:35 ARRIVE FCO 19:15 DEPART FCO 19:15 ARRIVE ICN 16:05+1 Commences: 8th August Operates Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays in both directions Booked Equipment: Airbus A330-200
Seoul – Barcelona
DEPART ICN 11:05 ARRIVE BCN 18:05 DEPART FCO 20:50 ARRIVE ICN 16:10+1 Commences: 8th August Operates: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in both directions Booked Equipment: Airbus A330-200
Both routes will utilise an Airbus A330-200 aircraft with 246 seats.
This aircraft will be configured with 18 business class seats and 228 Economy Class seats. Business Class is in a 2-2-2 formation with lie-flat seats, whilst Economy is in the classic 2-4-2 configuration.
Why now?
It goes back to the Korean Air/Asiana Airlines merger – with one combined carrier, there would be limited competition between Seoul and Europe.
In February, the EU competition authority conditionally approved the merger between Korean Air and Asiana, requiring T’way Air to enter the routes, citing concerns about restricting competition between Rome, Barcelona, Frankfurt and Paris.
Since then T’way has been preparing for long-haul operations – with the first route being to Zagreb in Croatia.
Paris and Frankfurt – coming soon
In addition to the opening of reservations for Rome and Barcelona, the Frankfurt route is scheduled to start service in October, and the Paris route is now available for service due to the completion of an agreement between the Korean and French aviation authorities.
In Quotes
A T’way Air spokesperson said,
“We have opened the long-awaited flight schedule to Rome and Barcelona, offering unprecedented fare events and abundant benefits that are not to be missed”
“T’way Air will do its best to meet the growing demand for travel to Europe and make the journey more comfortable and safer.”
Let’s see
With the introduction of T’Way on some very long routes, it’ll create some completion – a full-fat carrier and a low-cost carrier – although T’way is acting like a full-service carrier with the promise of “. both Economy and Business Saver Class provide two meals free of charge per one-way flight”.
We’ll have to see what other add-ons there will be – as ticketing is now open.
But it’s good to see further direct competition between Seoul and Europe, offering more choices to travellers.
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