South Korea Implements Airport Infrastructure Changes Following Jeju Air Crash
In an effort to improve aviation safety after the deadliest accident in South Korea’s history, the government has announced significant modifications to the infrastructure of seven airports across the country. These measures aim to prevent similar tragedies to the Jeju Air flight that occurred in December at Muan International Airport, which claimed the lives of 179 people.
Context of the Accident
The flight, operated by a Boeing B737-800, was returning from Thailand after Christmas celebrations. On its second landing attempt, the plane struck a concrete barrier at the end of the runway and exploded. Flight records and cockpit recordings ceased functioning four minutes before the crash, complicating efforts to determine its exact cause. However, it is known that the pilot had reported a bird strike before aborting the first landing attempt and that the landing gear failed to deploy properly during the second attempt.
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Concrete Barriers: A Key Factor
One of the factors that exacerbated the severity of the accident was the presence of a concrete barrier in the runway safety area. This obstacle, which supported an instrument landing system known as ILS, was not frangible, as international regulations require for structures near runways. According to Chris Kingswood, a pilot with 48 years of experience, “obstacles within a certain range and distance from the runway are required to be frangible, meaning they must break upon impact with an aircraft.”
South Korea’s Ministry of Transport identified nine similar navigation systems at other airports in the country, including Jeju, the nation’s second-largest airport. In response, authorities have decided to replace the concrete bases with lighter structures or bury them underground. At Muan Airport, the existing barriers will be completely removed, and the ILS will be reinstalled using breakable materials.
Runway Safety Areas: A Widespread Issue
In addition to the barriers, deficiencies were found in the runway safety areas of seven airports across the country. These areas, designed to limit damage in case an aircraft overruns, undershoots, or veers off the runway, were shorter than the internationally recommended length. At Muan Airport, for instance, the safety area was 200 meters long, 40 meters shorter than the recommended 240 meters.
Prior Warnings and Ignored Recommendations
Following the crash, it emerged that an operational manual for Muan Airport, published in early 2024, had warned that the concrete barrier was too close to the end of the runway. This document, prepared by the Korea Airports Corporation, had recommended reviewing the equipment’s location during a planned airport expansion, but the recommendation was not implemented in time.
The tragic December crash has exposed severe flaws in the infrastructure and safety management of South Korean airports. While the corrective actions now underway are overdue, they aim to align with international standards and prevent similar disasters.
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