Cash Compensation Instead of Cooling Facilities in Airport Noise-Affected Areas

Annual 230,000 KRW per Household and Cooling Facility Support Payment Provided

The government will compensate residents in noise-affected areas around private airports with cash instead of installing air conditioners. The criteria for noise charges imposed on airlines will also be subdivided.

On the 2nd, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that it is promoting the introduction of a cash support system to guarantee residents' choice in the airport noise damage support project.

Previously, airport operators directly installed soundproofing and cooling facilities for residents in noise-affected areas, but going forward, cooling facilities will be supported with cash, and soundproofing facilities will be supported on a reimbursement basis. Air conditioner installation is support for households that cannot open windows due to noise even in summer.

For households that have not yet received cooling facility support or have passed 10 years since receiving support, 100,000 KRW per household member will be paid. Under the current system, airport operators install cooling facilities once every 10 years.

The existing support of 200,000 KRW per year for electricity bills and 30,000 KRW for TV license fees per household will continue to be provided after the system reform.

Soundproofing facilities have also been installed by airport operators, but in the future, residents will install the products they want and receive reimbursement support from airport operators.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport also plans to subdivide the criteria for noise charges imposed on airlines.

Currently, noise charges are collected at 10-25% of landing fees based on five noise grades per aircraft, but the grades will be expanded to 13, and charges will be collected at 3-30% of landing fees.

About 84% of aircraft operating domestically fall under the current grades 4 and 5, so if the criteria are subdivided, the collected charges are expected to increase. The range of nighttime hours, during which noise charges are collected at twice the rate, will also be expanded, and the increased revenue will be considered for use in areas surrounding airports.

Additionally, although the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Ministry of Environment currently provide noise information measured around airports separately, they plan to integrate or link this information so that residents can easily search for noise data.

Lee Sang-il, Director of Airport Policy at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, said, "We will proactively manage aircraft noise in areas around airports and promote substantial noise damage support policies," adding, "We will strive for the mutual development of airports and surrounding areas."