Construction of Korean Air's engine maintenance cluster takes off

The national flag carrier broke ground for Asia's largest engine maintenance cluster near Incheon International Airport on Thursday.

An aerial view of Korean Air's future engine maintenance cluster in Unbuk-dong, Yeongjong Island near Incheon International Airport [KOREAN AIR LINES]

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.

Korean Air's chairman and CEO, Walter Cho, speaks during a groundbreaking ceremony for a new aircraft engine maintenance plant slated to open in 2027 in Unbuk-dong, Incheon, on Thursday. [KOREAN AIR LINES]

“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.

BY SEO JI-EUN [seo.jieun1@joongang.co.kr]