Intensive Supervision to Maintain Pilot Flight Hours
Inspection of Long-Stationary Aircraft Condition
Support to Help Airlines Recover Operating Losses
[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Jiwon] The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 20th that it will implement enhanced safety measures for air travel from the end of this month to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has established in-flight safety rules for all aircraft passengers, including flight attendants, and sent them to airlines. In abnormal situations such as abnormal cabin pressure or fire during flight, flight attendants will be trained to remove quarantine masks and wear oxygen masks. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers should be stored away from fire and electrical equipment, and airlines will be provided with related guidelines to avoid use and storage under high-temperature conditions.
Additionally, the Ministry plans to distribute response guidelines focused on safe aircraft operation to airlines, linked with related guidelines issued by the Central Disease Control Headquarters and other relevant agencies. These guidelines include in-flight air purification and disinfection, restrictions on movement between cabin sections, social distancing while waiting to use restrooms, and isolation of suspected infected persons. Access of outsiders to air traffic control facilities will be restricted, and thorough support will be provided to ensure individual disinfection and hygiene management of air traffic controllers.
The Ministry is implementing aircraft manufacturer guidelines related to cargo loading on passenger planes and removal of cabin seats to support airlines in recovering operating losses after transport volume dropped to 40% compared to the same period last year. For airlines whose operation scale has recovered to 60% compared to the same period last year, management and supervision will be strengthened by inspecting flight preparation status. So far, inspections have been conducted on T’way Air and Jin Air.
To maintain pilots’ flight proficiency, focused supervision is also conducted on pilot skill management, including captain and first officer crew assignments based on recent flight experience and adjustment of individual pilot flight schedules.
Due to the impact of COVID-19, about 130 passenger aircraft are currently parked long-term at airports such as Incheon, Gimpo, and Gimhae. The Ministry supervises protective measures and periodic test runs to prevent corrosion and damage to aircraft that must remain parked for extended periods.
The Ministry incorporated the COVID-19 air demand recovery response guidelines published by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council into the enhanced safety measures. ICAO is a UN specialized aviation agency established in 1947 based on the 1944 Convention on International Civil Aviation, and South Korea joined in 1952.
Kim Sangdo, Director of the Aviation Policy Office at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, said, "Safety is an essential requirement and a measure of our companies’ international competitiveness in aviation operating worldwide," adding, "We will actively promote these proactive safety measures domestically to protect the lives and property of our citizens, and internationally as an excellent foundational case for anticipated international standards related to COVID-19 response."
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