Flight Delays and Cancellations Due to Heavy Snow
Famous People Stranded at Airport... Complaining of Inconvenience
Famous figures such as singer Sung Si-kyung and broadcaster Jung Jae-hyung expressed their frustration over being stranded at the airport due to heavy snowfall. Instagram
Heavy snowfall that hit the Seoul metropolitan area caused some flights to be canceled or delayed, leading to a flood of complaints from passengers. As it is an unavoidable natural disaster and compensation is not available, consumer damage is severe. Celebrities such as Sung Si-kyung and Jung Jae-hyung also expressed frustration about being stranded at the airport due to the heavy snow.
On the 27th, singer Sung Si-kyung posted on his social media, "Waiting on the plane for over 3 hours. Just let us get off." He also posted a photo with the caption, "Currently on an automatic quit-smoking mode. Let's watch 'Eat or Not' together." In the photo, Sung Si-kyung appears to be drinking beer inside the airplane.
Besides Sung Si-kyung, many celebrities voiced their discomfort due to the heavy snowfall. Broadcaster Jung Jae-hyung posted on his Instagram on the 28th, "Finally escaped the airport after 12 hours," adding, "I hope everyone struggling because of the snow stays strong and returns home safely." In the attached photo, Jung Jae-hyung looked exhausted sitting on a bench at the airport with his luggage.
On the same day, actor Wi Ha-joon also shared a photo on his Instagram showing himself sitting on the airport floor looking despairing, with the caption, "Exactly 21 hours at the airport. Two cancellations... I really hate the snow." He added, "I hope everyone suffering and struggling due to flight delays and cancellations stays strong." Singer Song Ji-eun, formerly of the group 'Secret,' also reported on the same day from her trip to the United States, saying, "Was my departure too hasty? Still waiting due to heavy snowfall," sharing news of her flight delay. TVXQ's Choi Kang-changmin also wrote, "Waiting at the airport for 6 hours."
Actor Wi Ha-joon expressed frustration over inconveniences caused by flight delays and cancellations. Instagram
Incheon International Airport Corporation announced at 1:30 PM on the 28th that 157 flights were canceled and 101 were delayed. The previous day, cancellations were 151 flights and delays were 175 flights. Korea Airports Corporation reported that as of 2 PM on the same day, 33 flights departing from 14 airports nationwide, including Gimpo, Gimhae, and Jeju, were canceled, and 136 flights were delayed.
During adverse weather conditions such as heavy snowfall, time is required for de-icing and anti-icing operations to ensure the safe operation of aircraft. Snow removal personnel and equipment such as snowplows, solid spreaders, and excavators are deployed for snow removal on runways, taxiways, and aprons. Various tools and materials like calcium chloride and urea are used for snow melting. Aircraft bodies also need to have accumulated snow removed. Because these processes take a long time, departures are delayed or canceled. Heavy snowfall is an unavoidable natural disaster, and it is known that no compensation is provided for delays or cancellations caused by it.
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