AJet

T'way Air's recent safety record has raised concerns. In October 2024, its safety rating was downgraded from 7 to 4 by AirlineRatings.com following a series of operational and safety violations. In May 2025, the South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport imposed a substantial fine of 2 billion won (approximately $1.9 million USD) on T'way Air for five breaches of aviation safety regulations. These violations included conducting inspections at arbitrary intervals, skipping hydraulic fluid tests, failing to replace and reusing hydraulic filters, and even altering and deleting maintenance records when defects were found.

The airline has experienced a high number of operational disruptions, with 993 delays attributed to aircraft malfunctions between 2020 and July 2024. Notably, 2023 saw 510 such delays, and the first half of 2024 recorded 315. In June 2024, the South Korean government banned one of T'way Air's Airbus A330s (registration HL8501) from flying due to persistent issues with its oil pump. A concerning incident in January 2024 involved a T'way Air captain receiving a five-month suspension for refusing to operate a flight due to brake pad defects that did not meet company standards, despite being ordered to depart by the company. The Seoul Regional Labor Committee later deemed this disciplinary action unjust. Other incidents include a runway incursion in November 2024, a bird strike in January 2024, an engine problem in August 2022, and an unauthorized runway landing accident in August 2020.

While T'way Air is subject to oversight by the South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, specific details regarding its IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) certification, FAA compliance, or status on the EU safety list were not explicitly found in the provided information.

The airline's maintenance reputation has been negatively impacted by the documented safety violations, regulatory fines, and the increasing number of delays caused by mechanical issues. However, T'way Air's new owner, Daemyung Sono Group, has announced plans to invest in safety, hire more engineers, and construct an in-house maintenance hangar at Seoul Incheon International Airport after 2027.

Based on the available data, the overall safety assessment for T'way Air is concerning. The recent downgrade in its safety rating, significant fines for maintenance and safety violations, and a high frequency of delays due to mechanical problems suggest that the airline has faced considerable challenges in upholding consistent safety standards. There is no information available regarding any safety awards or recognitions.