South Korea will replace the concrete barriers used for navigation at seven airports nationwide following the December plane crash that claimed 179 lives.
In addition to the barrier changes, seven airports will modify their runway safety areas after a comprehensive review post-crash, which was the deadliest incident in the country's history.
During a flight operated by Jeju Air returning from Thailand after Christmas, the plane had to make an emergency landing at Muan airport and tragically exploded upon hitting a concrete barrier at the end of the runway.
The cause of the crash remains unknown; however, air safety experts suggest that casualties could have been minimized if not for the existing structure housing the localizer system aiding aircraft landings. This system is also present in other South Korean and overseas airports.
As part of safety measures, inspectors have pinpointed nine such systems requiring modifications, including those at Muan and Jeju International Airport, the nation's second-largest.
Plans are underway to either replace the concrete bases with lighter alternatives or bury them underground. Officials outlined the removal of Muan International Airport’s concrete mounds with reinstatement using breakable structures.
A post-crash investigation revealed that a 2024 Muan International Airport operational manual had flagged the proximity of the concrete embankment to the runway's end, urging a review during future expansions.
Beyond the barrier adjustments, further enhancements to runway safety areas are essential as investigations revealed a shortfall in length compared to the recommended 240m (787ft), with Muan airport's safety area measured at only about 200m.
Designated as the zone aiming to reduce aircraft damage in runway miscalculations, a runway safety area is crucial for preventing mishaps such as overruns, undershoots, or runway excursions.
The Boeing B737-800 plane carried 179 passengers aged between three and 78, with a majority in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. Sadly, only the two cabin crew members survived.
Ongoing investigations focus on determining the crash's cause after the pilot reported a bird strike before aborting the initial landing. Tragically, the plane crashed during the second landing attempt due to the non-deployment of the landing gear.