T'way Air posts 90% average load factor on international routes in first half

T'way Air said Tuesday it recorded an average load factor of about 90% across all international routes in the first half of 2026.

The carrier's total passenger count for the first half reached about 5.6 million, of whom about 3.8 million traveled on international routes. That figure represents a roughly 12% increase from about 3.38 million international passengers in the same period a year earlier.

Demand held steady across both short- and medium-haul routes — including Japan, Southeast Asia and Taiwan — and long-haul services to major European cities, Sydney, Australia, and Vancouver, Canada, producing broadly balanced results across the international network.

The carrier's top-performing routes by month were: Cheongju–Fukuoka and Daegu–Fukuoka in January; Cheongju–Osaka and Cheongju–Fukuoka in February; Incheon–Boracay and Incheon–Nha Trang in March; Incheon–Bangkok, Incheon–Sapporo and Gimpo–Songshan (Taipei) in April; Daegu–Fukuoka in May; and Incheon–Bangkok and Incheon–Sapporo in June. Those routes averaged a 96% load factor.

Long-haul routes also showed stable demand alongside the short-haul network. European services posted average load factors of 87% on Paris, 89% on Rome, 91% on Barcelona and 85% on Frankfurt, reflecting steady travel flows across T'way Air's broader international network.

"In the first half of this year, a wide range of international routes posted balanced load factors depending on travel timing and purpose," a T'way Air official said. "Going forward, we will continue to provide efficient route operations and diverse travel options grounded in safe flight."

Meanwhile, T'way Air recently held a Trinity Airways brand launch and uniform runway event at Sono Felice Convention in Seoul, where the rebranded Trinity Airways unveiled its new brand vision and business strategy to mark a fresh start.

The airline plans to operate under an "SSC (Selective Service Carrier)" model that goes beyond the conventional divide between low-cost carriers and full-service carriers, offering tailored services aligned with each customer's travel journey to strengthen both operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.