Saemangeum International Airport Scheduled to Open in 2029 with 807.7 Billion KRW Investment

Aerial View of Saemangeum International Airport Development Project

The government is set to actively push forward the project aiming to open Saemangeum International Airport by 2029.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) announced on the 29th that it will establish and announce the basic plan for the 'Saemangeum International Airport Development Project' on the 30th to promote development in the Saemangeum area. MOLIT plans to vigorously advance the project to complete it by 2028.

Saemangeum International Airport will be an international airport accommodating aircraft with about 200 passengers. After completion, it will open following test flights and other procedures. MOLIT will invest a total of 807.7 billion KRW to construct a 2,500-meter-long runway, passenger terminal, and other facilities.

The Saemangeum International Airport Development Project was selected as a national balanced development project in January 2019, and the project plan’s appropriateness review was completed in November of the same year. The basic plan was initiated in June 2020, and consultations on the strategic environmental impact assessment, collection of residents’ opinions on the draft basic plan, and coordination with related agencies have been completed.

Following the strategic environmental impact assessment completed in consultation with the Ministry of Environment in February this year, MOLIT plans to prepare preservation measures to ensure no environmental impact.

Design work will begin in the second half of this year, and before construction starts in 2024, MOLIT plans to re-consult with the Ministry of Environment on the full environmental impact assessment during the design process.

According to the basic plan, Saemangeum International Airport will feature a 2,500-meter runway, an apron capable of parking five aircraft, a 15,010㎡ passenger terminal, a 750㎡ cargo terminal, parking lots, and air navigation safety facilities.

By 2058, the 30th year after opening, the annual passenger demand is expected to reach 1.05 million, and cargo demand is projected at 8,000 tons.

MOLIT explained that international flights to Japan, China, Southeast Asia, and other regions will be possible, significantly contributing to securing Saemangeum’s competitiveness as a global business hub.

Location Map of Saemangeum International Airport Development Project

Saemangeum International Airport is a civilian airport operating independently, located 1.35 km west of Gunsan Airport, which is a military airport.

MOLIT is considering plans to transfer the civilian routes currently operated at Gunsan Airport to Saemangeum International Airport upon its opening and to utilize the passenger terminal, parking lots, and other facilities remaining at Gunsan Airport as spaces for local residents.

Lee Kyung-jae, Director of the New Aviation Planning Division at MOLIT, said, "We plan to strive for the construction of an eco-friendly and carbon-neutral airport by mandating participation of local construction companies to revitalize the local economy and applying eco-friendly construction methods. Saemangeum Airport will serve as a key infrastructure forming the land, sea, and air 'logistics tri-port' along with ports and railways in the Saemangeum area, greatly contributing to revitalizing the economy of the Jeonbuk region."