Gadeokdo New Airport Scheduled to Open by Late 2029... Constructed Using Reclamation Method

The government has decided to construct Gadeokdo New Airport using a reclamation method and open it by December 2029.

On the 14th, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport held the "Gadeokdo New Airport Basic Plan Service Mid-term Report Meeting" and discussed cooperation matters with local government officials from Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongsangnam-do regarding this plan.

Busan Gadukdo Island (right in the photo) and the area around Busan New Port. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The construction method was decided to be the reclamation method among the three options: reclamation, floating body, and pier methods. After reviewing safety, project costs, and the effect of shortening the project period, the reclamation method was analyzed to be the most efficient.

The airport layout plan was selected to span both land and sea. The final airport layout will be confirmed after an optimization review reflecting the placement plans for airport facilities such as passenger terminals, cargo terminals, and aprons, as well as opinions from related agencies.

Previously, in the preliminary feasibility study, the plan to fully reclaim the site at sea with sufficient construction time was selected. However, in the basic plan, considering the effect of shortening the construction period as a priority, the plan to place airport facilities spanning both land and sea was decided.

To open Gadeokdo New Airport in time for the 2030 Busan World Expo, the project speed will also be increased. Normally, compensation starts after the detailed plan, but by including tax items for incorporated land in the basic plan notification, compensation can begin after establishing the basic plan, shortening the construction start time by about one year.

Site formation work will be conducted through integrated contracting. To maximize efficiency and creativity during construction, the plan is to accept private sector creative proposals such as introducing new large-scale equipment and applying new technologies and construction methods. This is calculated to shorten the construction period by 29 months.

To thoroughly manage safety and quality in this large-scale complex construction project, a specialized project management organization (tentatively named Gadeokdo New Airport Construction Corporation) will be established. Additionally, comprehensive project management (PgM) will be applied from the design stage to prevent project delays.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that the review of the project plan's appropriateness was completed on the 13th by the Ministry of Economy and Finance's Fiscal Project Evaluation Committee, and the basic plan will be established and announced by the end of the year.

Park Ji-hong, head of the Gadeokdo New Airport Construction Promotion Team at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, said, "Early opening requires active cooperation from related ministries such as the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of National Defense, and local governments. During the remaining period of establishing the basic plan, we will conduct in-depth reviews of opinions presented by related agencies to not only shorten the project period but also ensure the safety and quality of the new airport and establish a project plan harmonized with regional development."