Flight Takeoffs and Landings Suspended Due to 'Drone' Near Incheon Airport

Drone Detected 3.3 km from Runway Center
Drone Flown for About 1 Hour 20 Minutes...Police Secure Suspect

The departure hall of Terminal 1 at Incheon International Airport on the 22nd, where demand for overseas travel is increasing during the summer vacation season. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Due to a drone spotted near Incheon International Airport, nine aircraft were unable to take off or land on the runway on time.

According to Incheon International Airport Corporation on the 3rd, at around 11:29 a.m., a drone was detected near Paradise City in Unseo-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon, located 3.3 km from the airport reference point (runway center point).

The corporation suspended runway takeoffs and landings twice that day: from 11:29 to 11:36 a.m. and from 11:42 to 11:44 a.m.

Due to the drone, five aircraft waited on the runway unable to take off, and four aircraft were unable to land on the runway and returned to flight status.

Flight operations resumed from 11:45 a.m., but the drone flight did not completely end until after 12:50 p.m.

The Incheon Jungbu Police Station has secured the custody of Mr. A, who illegally operated the drone, and plans to conduct a joint investigation with related agencies.

According to the Aviation Safety Act, the area within a 9.3 km radius from the airport is designated as a no-fly zone for drones. If a civilian flies a drone without approval from the local aviation office, they are subject to fines or penalties.