2024.03.15
Construction of Korean Air's engine maintenance cluster takes off
BY SEO JI-EUN, Korea
JoongAng Daily - Korean Air Lines embarked on the construction of a new
aircraft engine maintenance plant in Unbuk-dong, near Incheon International
Airport, on Thursday with an investment of 578 billion won ($438.2).
Scheduled to become
operational in 2027, the new maintenance facility covers 140,212 square meters
(1.5 million square feet) across two basement floors and five floors above
ground, constructed by Kolon Global. Korean Air expects it to be the largest of
its kind in Asia.
The airline
anticipates that the facility will advance its aviation MRO (Maintenance,
Repair, and Overhaul) business.
“The engine is the
heart of the airplane,” said Korean Air CEO Walter Cho at the groundbreaking
ceremony. “Korean Air pledges to uphold the highest standards of safety, and is
committed to elevating Korea’s competitive edge in a highly specialized sector of
aviation.”
Previously, the
airline managed engine maintenance at its Bucheon facility, while final testing
was conducted at an engine testing center, termed the ETC (Engine Test Cell),
in Unbuk-dong. The new maintenance cluster will consolidate all phases of
engine maintenance to a single site, situated near the ETC.
Korean Air is also
set to enhance its aircraft engine maintenance capability, increasing its
annual servicing capacity from 100 to 360 engines for a wider range of engine
types.
Additionally, the
establishment of the maintenance cluster is anticipated to stimulate growth in
the domestic aviation MRO industry, generating over 1,000 job opportunities and
reducing reliance on international maintenance services.
Korean Air is the
sole operator of civilian aircraft engine overhaul facilities in the country.
The groundbreaking
ceremony, held on Thursday, was attended by key figures including CEO Cho and
Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok.