Korean Air to Build $119 Billion Mega Maintenance Hangar at Incheon
Korean Air Commits $119 Billion to Next-Generation Maintenance Facility at Incheon Airport
Korean Air has announced a landmark investment in aviation infrastructure, signing an agreement with Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC) on November 24, 2025, to construct the H3 Maintenance Facility Development Project. The commitment of KRW 176 billion (approximately $119 billion USD) represents a significant expansion of the carrier’s maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) capabilities and reflects ambitious plans to establish itself as a global MRO powerhouse.
The signing ceremony drew over 90 representatives from government agencies, local authorities, and the National Assembly, underscoring the project’s strategic importance to South Korea’s aviation sector and broader economic development.
Vice Chairman Keehong Woo emphasized that the facility transcends conventional infrastructure development. “A maintenance hangar is not merely a building; it is a cradle of safety and a vital foundation for upholding Korean Air’s top priority of absolute safety,” Woo stated. “From the earliest design phase, we will ensure this new hangar becomes the safest, most advanced, and most exemplary maintenance base—a true stronghold of aviation safety.”
The facility specifications demonstrate its advanced capabilities. Spanning 69,299 square meters within Incheon’s High Tech Aviation Complex, the hangar will simultaneously accommodate two widebody aircraft and one narrowbody aircraft. This capacity is particularly significant given Korean Air’s ongoing merger integration with Asiana Airlines, as the expanded maintenance infrastructure will be essential for managing the combined fleet.
Construction is scheduled to commence in 2027, with operations targeted for late 2029. Upon opening, the facility will employ approximately 300 maintenance specialists performing comprehensive services ranging from routine airframe inspections to complex heavy maintenance and aircraft modifications.
The H3 Maintenance Facility represents one component of Korean Air’s broader infrastructure modernization strategy. The carrier is simultaneously developing a KRW 578 billion ($391 billion USD) engine maintenance facility on Yeongjong Island, positioned to become Asia’s largest dedicated engine maintenance operation. Additionally, Korean Air is constructing a KRW 1.2 trillion ($812 billion USD) Future Urban Air Mobility & Aviation Safety R&D Center in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, emphasizing the airline’s commitment to innovation and technological advancement.
These coordinated investments position Korean Air to expand its MRO capabilities substantially while supporting its integration with Asiana Airlines. The projects collectively strengthen Incheon International Airport’s competitive positioning as Asia’s premier aviation maintenance hub, potentially attracting additional regional and international aircraft operators seeking world-class maintenance services.
A Korean Air representative stated: “We will work closely with Incheon International Airport Corporation to ensure the seamless and timely progress of the project. Guided by our Safety First principle, Korean Air will continue to drive innovation and transformation as we move toward becoming the world’s most beloved airline.”
Source ID: SRCE-2025-1764102510226-920