South Korea reviews airport safety after fatal Jeju Air crash

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South Korea reviews airport safety after fatal Jeju Air crash

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Muan International Airport | Wikimedia

By Sky Industry News

Jan 22, 2025

The South Korean government is set to reassess the safety systems related to emergency landings at airports nationwide after a tragic Jeju Air crash resulted in 179 fatalities. The plan involves removing concrete embankments at Muan International Airport, as per the Korea Times.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has pinpointed seven airports with potentially dangerous structures near runways. While the cause of the Jeju Air crash remains unclear, experts believe that the concrete embankment at Muan Airport may have worsened the incident's impact.

"Muan International Airport plans to completely remove the existing concrete and reinstall the localizer in a fragile structure," stated the ministry. Adjustments will adhere to installation regulations and aim for completion by mid-2025.

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Furthermore, runway safety areas (RSAs) at seven airports are under review due to being shorter than recommended lengths. The RSA at Muan International is approximately 200 meters long, falling short of guidelines published by Korea Airports Corporation in May 2024. If extension is not feasible, engineered material arresting systems (EMAS) might be installed instead.

The investigation into the December 29, 2024 crash of a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 continues. Initial findings revealed issues like bird strikes and malfunctioning landing gear before Flight 2216 crashed at Muan International Airport. Authorities disclosed that both black boxes stopped recording minutes before impact, complicating investigations further.

Meanwhile, authorities in Central Asia continue probing an Azerbaijan Airlines crash suspected to involve a Russian missile near Grozny shortly before the Jeju Air incident.