(Reuters): The transportation ministry of South Korea declared that it would be removing the concrete embankment at Muan International Airport following the fatal Jeju Air crash last month, which has been called the nation's greatest domestic aviation tragedy. The accident forced authorities to review airport safety protocols across the country.
According to reports, bird strikes may have contributed to the disaster of Jeju Air aircraft 7C2216, which is still under investigation. The massive concrete embankment that supported navigation antennas close to the runway, however, is said by experts to have exacerbated the tragedy, which killed 179 lives and left only two crew members in the rear of the aircraft alive.
In response, the government intends to upgrade the buildings that house the Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) navigation antennae at seven airports, including Jeju International Airport and Muan. These modifications are meant to improve safety during landings by ensuring that the antennas are positioned in less dangerous or breakable structures.
The concrete localizer at Muan International Airport, which guides aircraft during landings, will be completely removed and rebuilt with a more fragile design. A broader initiative to improve runway safety procedures at airports around the country includes this.
A Boeing 737-800 was involved in the December 29 crash. According to the video, the plane landed quickly without using its landing gear, skidded past the runway, and then exploded after colliding with the embankment. The event brought to light weaknesses in the airport's security system.
Criticism has also been directed at the runway design, which failed to meet global safety standards. Authorities announced plans to extend the safety zones beyond runways, ensuring they are free of obstacles and meet the required 240-meter length. Muan Airport’s safety zone was only 200 meters long at the time of the crash.
In order to prevent similar fatalities, the transport ministry pledged comprehensive assessments and enhancements and underlined its dedication to enhancing safety protocols at all airports. This means making sure that all relevant safety regulations are adhered to and enlarging post-runway safety areas.
Son Chang-wan, the former leader of the state-owned Korea Airports Corporation, was discovered dead at his residence after allegedly committing suicide. This was a different but connected incident. Police stated that the son was not being investigated or connected to the jet disaster, and he had not been brought in for interrogation.
Muan International Airport will remain temporarily closed until April 18 while authorities address safety concerns and make the necessary modifications as a result of the tragic occurrence. In reaction to the incident, Jeju International Airport, one of South Korea's busiest hubs, will also see safety upgrades.
The changes highlight how serious the accident was and how airport infrastructure needs to meet higher safety standards. South Korea plans to fix design issues and enhance emergency protocols in order to rebuild public trust in its aviation system.
The tragic Jeju Air tragedy makes it evident that strict safety protocols are necessary to prevent preventable accidents. In order to guarantee a safer future for visitors, officials are working to find and address underlying problems as investigations continue.
