Muan International Airport Revitalization Project 'In Full Swing'... Expected to Become a Leading Domestic Airport

Measures for Expanding Korea's Integrated Tourism Projects and Convenience Facilities

[Muan=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] The revitalization project to elevate Muan International Airport as a leading domestic airport is being actively promoted.

Jeonnam Province announced on the 25th that it will prepare and actively implement various policies, including the Korea Tourism Integration Project and the expansion of infrastructure and convenience facilities, to revitalize Muan International Airport, which had suspended operations due to COVID-19.

In particular, a “Muan International Airport Usage Revitalization Contest” linked to the popular Namdo Travel, which received great response last year, will be held. Additionally, 21.4 billion KRW will be invested in the “Korea Tourism Integration Project (KTTP),” selected by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, to actively attract foreign tourists using international flights.

With the development of various products linked to Ulleung Airport, which began construction last year, and Heuksando Airport, scheduled to start construction in the second half of this year, marine and island tourism can be revitalized, giving momentum to the creation of Heuksando as a marine healing tourism destination.

As domestic and international tourist attraction continues, Muan International Airport is expected to play a new central role in driving domestic and Northeast Asian international tourism demand.

Currently, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport plans to establish an airport on Heuksando, a geopolitical key point at the southernmost tip of the country, by 2023, and is awaiting review by the National Park Committee for the lifting of the national park designation.

The airport on Ulleungdo, the frontline for protecting Dokdo’s territorial sovereignty and surrounding maritime territory, is being promoted with a target completion year of 2025.

Furthermore, Jeonnam Province plans to introduce smart technologies such as unmanned guidance and self-check-in systems at Muan International Airport to significantly reduce boarding waiting times through unmanned and automated usage methods, and to transform the boarding waiting area into a complex cultural space for tourism, relaxation, and business by regularly hosting performances by the provincial traditional Korean music orchestra.

Moreover, the runway extension project to lengthen the runway from the current 2.8 km to 3.2 km, enabling mid- to long-distance takeoffs and landings, is expected to be completed by 2023. This will diversify routes to Europe, the Americas, and other regions, allowing proactive response to the explosive increase in international flights in the post-COVID era.

In addition, the province will continue to coordinate to ensure that the “2021 integration of Gwangju Private Airport and Muan International Airport” is smoothly reflected in the “6th Mid- to Long-term Comprehensive Airport Development Plan,” scheduled to be finalized by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in the first half of this year.

Park Cheolwon, Director of the Road and Transportation Division of Jeonnam Province, said, “We will do our best to expand infrastructure and convenience facilities without fail so that Muan International Airport can take off to destinations around the world and establish itself as a representative international airport of Korea.”