T’way Airlines Transforms into Trinity Airways Under New Ownership

South Korean airline T’Way is set to undergo a significant transformation by rebranding itself as Trinity Airways. This decision was announced on September 8, 2025, following the acquisition of the budget carrier by the Daemyung Sono Group in February 2025.

In this acquisition, the Daemyung Sono Group acquired a 46.26% equity interest that was previously owned by YeaRimDang Publishing for approximately 250 billion South Korean Won (around US$174 million). With this acquisition, the Daemyung Sono Group, which already owned 26.77% of the airline, now holds effective control over T’Way.

Following approval from Korean competition authorities in June 2025, the new majority stakeholder initiated changes at the airline’s leadership, leading to the departure of its CEO. A new CEO is expected to be appointed by a board of directors that has also been newly established.

The rebranding to Trinity Airways takes inspiration from the Latin word “trinitas,” meaning three elements that create a unified whole. This notion reflects the Daemyung Sono Group’s ambition to develop an integrated travel and hospitality brand that encompasses three core areas: airlines, hotels, and resorts.

The Daemyung Sono Group is recognized as South Korea’s largest hospitality organization, managing many hotels and resorts nationwide and acquiring additional properties in the U.S. and France. The group also oversees various experiential resorts and holiday clubs dedicated to sports and outdoor experiences within South Korea.

Alongside the rebranding, the airline will adopt a completely new corporate identity and livery, which is scheduled to debut in early 2026.

T’Way, which operates both short and long-haul routes under a low-cost structure, has a diverse fleet consisting of 44 aircraft, including six Airbus A330-200s, five A330-300s, five Boeing 737 MAX 8s, 26 Boeing 737-800s, and two Boeing 777-300ERs. In addition, the airline anticipates the arrival of five new A330-900neos and another B737 MAX 8.

This rebranding may not be the only strategic move by the Daemyung Sono Group in the airline sector. In October 2024, the group also acquired an 11% stake in Air Premia, another Korean airline. Reports suggest that this investment could lead to a majority stake acquisition in Air Premia.

Air Premia, based at Seoul-Incheon International Airport (ICN), operates as a hybrid carrier featuring a fleet of eight Boeing 787-9 aircraft servicing regular and charter long-haul routes to various destinations in Asia, the United States, and Europe.

Is this rebranding a sign of exciting new developments in South Korea’s airline industry?