South Korea plans to overhaul airport structures after fatal Jeju Air crash
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A file photo from Dec 30 showing the wreckage of the Jeju Air plane that skidded off the runway and crashed into a barrier at Muan International Airport.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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SEOUL – South Korea plans to improve the structures housing the antennae that guide landings at its airports in 2025 following December’s fatal crash of a Jeju Air plane
The Transport Ministry, which has been inspecting safety conditions at airlines and airports since the Boeing 737-800 jet crashed at the south-western Muan airport, announced the move to change the so-called “localiser” structures on Jan 13.
Seven domestic airports, including Muan, were found to have embankments or foundations made of concrete or steel that needed to be changed, the ministry said in a statement.
It added that it would prepare measures to improve the structures by January and aim to complete the improvements by the end of 2025.
Aviation safety experts have criticised the placement of the embankment at Muan airport and said it likely raised the death toll of the crash, which killed 179 of the 181 people on board.
The government has also finished its inspection of six domestic airlines flying Boeing 737-800s and found violations at some operators, including relating to pre- and post-flight inspections, and non-compliance with procedures to resolve plane defects or passenger boarding.
The ministry declined to comment on whether Jeju Air was among the airlines where violations were found.
A Jeju Air spokesperson could not be immediately reached.
A special safety inspection of the country’s major airport facilities will also take place between Jan 13 and 21, the ministry’s statement said.
The ministry has also decided to extend the shutdown of Muan International Airport to Jan 19. REUTERS
