Jeju Air accident: Government pushes new measures to enhance safety at South Korean airports
The South Korean government will implement safety measures at seven airports, including the removal of hazardous structures and the expansion of runway safety areas, following the Jeju Air flight accident that resulted in 179 fatalities. The actions aim to strengthen infrastructure and prevent similar incidents in the future
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The South Korean government announced a series of measures to improve airport safety following the Jeju Air flight accident, which resulted in 179 fatalities. The actions include the removal of structures deemed hazardous and the expansion of runway safety areas.
According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, seven airports have been identified with structures near the runways that could pose risks during emergencies. These include Gimhae, Jeju, and Muan international airports. One of the priorities is the removal of the concrete embankment at Muan International Airport, which may have worsened the impact of the accident.
The ministry plans to replace the structures housing the Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) with fragile materials or bury them, in compliance with current installation regulations. This process will be expedited with the aim of completion in the first half of 2025.
Expansion of safety areas
Another key measure will be the expansion of runway safety areas (RSA), which serve as containment zones for aircraft that exceed the runway limits. Currently, seven airports have areas smaller than the recommended 240 meters.
In the case of Muan International Airport, the RSA measures only 200 meters, falling short of safety recommendations. If there is insufficient space for expansion, the government plans to install engineered material arresting systems (EMAS), designed to safely stop aircraft that overrun the runway.
Meanwhile, authorities are continuing their analysis of the causes behind the Jeju Air flight accident, involving a Boeing 737. The aircraft’s black boxes stopped recording data approximately four minutes before the impact, complicating the reconstruction of events. However, initial evidence points to bird strikes in both engines, as reported by the crew minutes before the crash.
The South Korean government will also review airport safety standards and update its protocols before the end of the year.
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