LCC Hansung Airlines to relaunch as T'way Airlines

Hansung Airlines was established in 2004, to serve as the regional low-cost airline of Cheongju, South Korea. The airline was a joint operation between the government of Cheongju and the University of Chungcheong. Hansung Airlines ordered 1 x ATR 72-200 in the August of 2004, and was cleared to operate in the August of 2005. Its maiden flight was on August 31, 2005 from Cheongju to Jeju International Airport.

Hansung Airlines claimed to be the first regional low-cost carrier in South Korea. As the country's first low-cost airline, it drew a lot of attention from the public as it was cheaper than the other major airlines in the country, Korean Air and Asiana Airlines. As it`s popularity grew this spurred the start up of another low-cost airline, Jeju Air.

Hansung Airlines ordered its second aircraft in October 2006 . With its second aircraft, they started services between Gimpo International Airport and Jeju International Airport.

On 19 December 2005 the airline suspended all services in order to seek additional funding from new investors. Operations resumed on 15 February 2006, and shortly afterwards, it ran into difficulties caused by internal administrative conflicts. The airline suspended operations on October 2008

On August 8, 2010, Hansung Airlines said that they planned to change their corporate image and rebrand as T'way Airlines and buy a new Boeing 737-800 from the manufacturer. The Airline also said they will start operations on or around September 15, 2010.

A-P member BFIBRAVO photographed this aircraft as it left Boeing Field.