Gangseo-gu Accelerates Preparation of Altitude Restriction Standards for Gimpo Airport... Holds Midterm Service Report Meeting

Gangseo-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Jin Gyo-hoon) held an interim report meeting on the "Study on the Application Plan of Gimpo Airport Following the Revision of ICAO's International Altitude Restriction Standards" on the afternoon of the 20th at the district office's large conference room.

This meeting was the first chaired by Mayor Jin Gyo-hoon as the co-chairman of the "Gangseo-gu Seoul City Public-Private Joint Committee for Airport Altitude Restriction Relaxation," with about 30 committee members attending.

The attendees discussed the future direction based on the research conducted so far.

According to the ICAO's revised international standards, building heights are regulated by dividing them into "Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OFS)" and "Evaluation Surfaces (OES)" for the safe operation of aircraft.

While the Obstacle Limitation Surfaces are uniformly applied regulations, the Evaluation Surfaces are applied differently depending on the characteristics of each airport.

The district views this aspect as the key to relaxing altitude restrictions and is focusing its administrative efforts accordingly. The stance is to prepare an optimal altitude restriction relaxation standard tailored to the characteristics of Gimpo Airport within the range that does not interfere with the safe operation of aircraft, seeking countermeasures in preparation for the new international standards.

Going forward, the district plans to comprehensively analyze the flight procedures currently operated at Gimpo Airport and the revised international standards to establish specific implementation plans aimed at the early enforcement of altitude restriction relaxation.

In particular, a final report meeting and seminar will be held in June to publicly announce that the prompt promotion of altitude restriction relaxation is possible based on technical grounds.

Mayor Jin Gyo-hoon stated, "The damage to the lives of Gangseo-gu residents caused by restrictions on regional development and infringement on residents' property rights due to airport altitude restrictions is immeasurable," adding, "We will concentrate all our capabilities to ensure that the relaxation of altitude restrictions is promoted swiftly and successfully."