T'way Air conducts first-half major accident response drill, testing fire emergency systems

T'way Air said Wednesday it held its "2026 First-Half Major Accident Response Drill" on June 26 at the aviation training center inside the Gimpo Airport cargo terminal.

The exercise was designed to prepare employees for accidents that could occur during actual operations, in line with the Serious Accidents Punishment Act and the airline's major industrial accident response manual, with the goal of minimizing casualties and property damage in emergency situations.

The drill was built around a simulated fire scenario and focused on four sequential stages: situation recognition and initial suppression, emergency evacuation, headcount and first aid for the injured, and scene preservation and activation of the reporting chain.

Participants carried out emergency response procedures including initial fire suppression, evacuation guidance, notification of the Gimpo Airport fire and rescue unit, firefighting and patient transport, testing the practical effectiveness of the on-site response system.

After the drill concluded, the Gimpo Airport fire and rescue unit provided an overall assessment and recommendations for improvement. T'way Air said it plans to identify areas for improvement based on the results and continue strengthening its emergency response and safety and health management systems.

The airline conducts safety drills reflecting real-world conditions every year. Scenarios have included fires at the aviation training center and catering facility, medical emergencies during maintenance work, conveyor belt falls and forklift accidents, and emergency first-aid and evacuation exercises.

T'way Air is also reinforcing ongoing safety management by complying with the Serious Accidents Punishment Act and other relevant regulations, and by proactively identifying and addressing potential hazards.

"The realistic fire response drill allowed us to significantly strengthen our initial response capabilities in the event of a serious industrial accident," a company official said. "We will continue to prioritize aviation safety above all else through thorough training and safety inspections."

Meanwhile, T'way Air has been carrying out a range of corporate social responsibility activities, including donating proceeds from an in-house ESG recycling bazaar held as part of its "2026 Safety Campaign" in April to Save the Children's play support project for children with disabilities.