1 PM Rail and Air Traffic Also Hold Their Breath... CSAT Listening Test

Photo by Asia Economy

On the 17th, special measures were implemented in the railway and aviation sectors to ensure the 2023 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) proceeds smoothly.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that from 13:05 to 13:40, during the English listening test, all aircraft takeoffs and landings will be completely suspended nationwide for 35 minutes.

The ministry stated, "To prevent aircraft noise during the English listening test, all takeoffs and landings at domestic airports will be fully prohibited, except for emergency and urgent flights," adding, "Aircraft already in flight must remain at an altitude of at least 3 km above ground under air traffic control."

As a result, the schedules of 77 flights, including 18 international and 59 domestic flights planned during this time, will be adjusted before and after the English listening test period. Airlines will notify passengers of these schedule changes in advance. The ministry also urged passengers to "check the flight times on the day of travel in advance."

Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) will minimize noise by restricting train horns and operating trains at reduced speeds near test sites.

During the third period English listening test from 13:10 for 25 minutes, train operations on three tracks adjacent to test sites have been rescheduled to avoid running trains.

These tracks pass near Gyeongsan Girls' High School by Gyeongsan Station in Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Cheongdo High School near Cheongdo Station in Cheongdo-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, and Yeongcheon Girls' High School near Yeongcheon Station in Yeongcheon-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do.

Earlier, from the 9th, KORAIL completed safety inspections on nationwide tracks including metropolitan subway lines over seven days. Especially, maintenance work on tracks near test sites was temporarily suspended from the night before the test until its completion.

Meanwhile, on this day, the stock and foreign exchange markets will open at 10 a.m., and bank operations will also start from 10 a.m.