Korean Air has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Thailand’s state-owned Thai Aviation Industries (TAI) to collaborate on maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) for Thai military aircraft. The companies signed a Teaming Agreement (TA) on September 2 at the Korean Air Tech Center in Busan with Hyeoncheol Cho, Vice President and Head of Korean Air’s Defense Business Department, and Piboon Vorravanpreecha, Managing Director of TAI, in attendance.
Under the agreement, Korean Air and TAI will initially collaborate on depot-level maintenance for the Royal Thai Army’s UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. The companies plan to expand the partnership to include other military aircraft operated by the Royal Thai Armed Forces. Korean Air will also support TAI in standardising military aircraft maintenance processes and providing technical training.
TAI manages the maintenance and logistical support for all aircraft operated by the Thai military. By combining Korean Air’s extensive military MRO expertise with TAI’s established maintenance network and infrastructure in Thailand, the partnership is expected to enhance the operational readiness of the Thai military’s aviation fleet.
Korean Air brings over 50 years of experience in military aircraft maintenance, having completed depot-level maintenance and performance upgrades for more than 5,500 aircraft. Korean Air began producing UH-60 helicopters in 1991 and has continued to provide maintenance support for the fleet. Building on its proven technical expertise, Korean Air recently secured a major contract to upgrade the helicopters’ performance.
“This partnership marks an important step in bringing Korean Air’s advanced MRO capabilities to Southeast Asia and creating opportunities for mutual growth,” said Hyeoncheol Cho, Vice President and Head of Korean Air’s Defense Business Department. “By combining our military aircraft maintenance expertise with TAI’s strong local network, we aim to expand our presence in the regional and global MRO markets.”
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