Seoul, Korea (8 June, 2016) – One of the world’s largest and most advanced aero-engine test facility has opened in Korea and the Incheon Aviation Tech Co. LTD (IAT), which is a joint venture between Korean Air and aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney (P & W), held a commemorative event in Woonbuk-dong, Joong-gu, Incheon on June 8 to celebrate the opening of the ETC (Engine Test Cell), which is the first phase of the ‘Plane-Engine Maintenance Center’ project.
Hanjin Group Chairman Cho Yang-ho; Incheon Free Economic Zone Commissioner Lee Young-geun; the Director of Seoul Regional Office of Aviation and Incheon International Airport Corporation’s CEO Chung Il-young; attended the event, along with around one hundred other officials.
Mr. Cho Yang-ho said: “I appreciate the generous support of all the stakeholders who were involved in completing this engine test facility, which is equipped with the world’s best high-tech amenities. We are now fully prepared to perform the highest quality engine tests.”
Incheon Aviation Tech Co. Ltd was founded in December 2010, with 90 percent invested by Korean Air and 10 percent by P&W. It is the first Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) corporation in Korea, providing aircraft maintenance services, including but not limited to, assembly, disassembly, component repairs and performance testing of engines.
The ETC built by IAT is capable of testing the world’s largest engines with a thrust up to 150,000 pounds. The largest and most powerful commercial jet engine in operation is currently that of Boeing’s 777 aircraft, which have an extraordinary 115,000 pounds of thrust. The newly opened ETC can test supersized engines, as well as next generation engines being developed.
The second phase of the project is the construction of the Engine Maintenance Plant and once it is completed the business scope of the center will be further expanded to offer total engine MRO services.
Incheon-based Korean Air and IAT will work in partnership to promote the high-tech and high value engine MRO business and eventually establish an aerospace cluster in Yeongjong district in the Incheon Free Economic Zone.
About Korean Air
Korean Air, established in 1969, is one of the world’s top 20 airlines and carried more than 24 million passengers in 2015. Korean Air operates in excess of 462 flights per day to 130 cities in 46 countries on six continents with a fleet of 165 aircraft including ten A380s.
With its modern aircraft and over 20,000 professional employees, Korean Air offers customers safety, convenience and comfort. Korean Air’s award-winning offerings of Korean and Western meals and state-of-the-art inflight entertainment system provide passengers with a memorable inflight experience.
The airline is a founding member of the Sky Team airline alliance, which together with its 20 members, offers its 612 million annual passengers a worldwide system of more than 16,320 daily flights covering 1,052 destinations in 177 countries.
Korean Air introduced the double-decker A380 aircraft to its fleet in 2011 and made the interior more spacious than any other airline, with just 407 seats spread across three classes, with the top deck dedicated to ‘Prestige’ business class. The design also features the world’s first onboard ‘Duty Free Showcase’ and three bar lounges.
More on Korean Air’s programs, routes, frequencies and partners is available at www.koreanair.com
(Mr. Yang Ho Cho (second row fifth from left) After IATA BOG meeting)
Korean Air 