On January 22, the South Korean government announced a comprehensive plan to address safety risks at airports following the deadly Jeju Air accident that occurred on December 29, which claimed the lives of 179 people. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport emphasized the prioritization of safety improvements at seven airports, including Muan International Airport, where the tragedy took place.
An inspection revealed that certain hazardous structures near runways, specifically those supporting localisers (directional guidance equipment for incoming aircraft), need adjustments at nine locations across seven airports, including Gimhae, Jeju, and Muan International Airports. Experts have indicated that the casualty toll in the Jeju Air crash could have been significantly lower if the concrete structure at Muan airport supporting the localiser had been absent.
To address this, the ministry plans to evaluate alternatives such as moving localiser foundation structures underground or replacing them with lightweight steel alternatives. Each airport will implement the solution that best complies with regulations and can be executed swiftly. The government aims to complete these improvements by mid-year, with a final deadline set for the end of 2025.
Furthermore, the ministry identified seven airports with runway safety areas shorter than the recommended 240 meters and will work to expand these zones. Where space limitations exist, the introduction of engineered material arresting systems (EMAS) will help ensure sufficient safety measures. EMAS are designed to decelerate aircraft quickly by allowing them to sink into a lightweight material when overrunning a runway.
In addition to the facility upgrades, the ministry is also planning revisions to airport facility safety standards, with an updated plan expected by the first half of the year.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that the black box of the jet involved in the crash at Muan airport malfunctioned during the last four minutes of the flight, further complicating investigations into the incident.
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