Tourism Industry Appeals: "Crisis Due to Airplane Disaster"
Gwangju City: "Carefully Considering Proposal to Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport"
Jeonnam Province: "Obstacle to Airport Integration, Unrealistic"
Different Stances Between City and Province... Concerns Over Renewed Conflict
The tourism industry in the Gwangju region, which has been facing difficulties following the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster, is drawing attention as it calls for the operation of a 'temporary international route' at Gwangju Airport.
The Emergency Response Committee of the Gwangju Tourism Association stated on the 6th, "Since Gwangju citizens are the largest users of Muan Airport, considering the demand from local passengers, a 'temporary international route' should be established at Gwangju Airport."
In an appeal released that day, the committee said, "The local travel industry is in a serious crisis, and we can only survive if Gwangju Airport is opened, even temporarily," adding, "This does not mean we are suggesting giving up on Muan Airport."
The committee emphasized, "This year is the Year of Visiting Gwangju, and with the World Archery Championships scheduled for September, operating international flights from Gwangju Airport is essential," and added, "Only by overcoming this crisis, which has come again after three painful years due to COVID-19, can we revitalize Muan Airport and revive the local economy."
The committee also stated, "Now is the time to find practical solutions," and added, "Revitalizing Muan Airport is virtually impossible without the Gwangju travel industry. Please do not ignore our desperate appeal."
While the Gwangju tourism industry is making these claims, the Gwangju city government maintains that the issue is worth careful consideration, but the Jeonnam provincial government argues that operating international flights at Gwangju Airport is realistically difficult. There are concerns that this could reignite conflict between the city and province over the temporary international route at Gwangju Airport.
The city is carefully reviewing the option of proposing to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport the operation of a temporary international route at Gwangju Airport. This is based on the judgment that, due to the aftermath of the disaster, it will take until at least October for Muan Airport to return to normal operations, and possibly be delayed until next year. The city is currently assessing the time required for regular and irregular flights to begin, as well as the possibility of relocating related agencies such as the Korea Customs Service, Immigration Office, and Quarantine Office.
Typically, regular route reviews are conducted every three months, and irregular route reviews are conducted monthly. Taking into account the time needed for agency relocations, even launching only irregular routes is expected to take four to five months.
An official from Gwangju City said, "We cannot just keep waiting since we don't know when Muan Airport will return to normal," and added, "As the travel industry continues to make proposals, we are checking the relevant procedures and timeframes."
In response, the Jeonnam provincial government stated that the temporary international route at Gwangju Airport, as proposed by the tourism industry, would not help resolve the 'airport integration' issue, is not desirable from the perspective of regional development, and is unrealistic considering the need to relocate work systems.
An official from Jeonnam Province said, "Muan Airport is expected to reopen around August after securing safety facilities," and added, "It would take a lot of time for Gwangju Airport to reinforce safety facilities and establish an international flight system, so it is unrealistic and goes against airport integration, making it undesirable."
Meanwhile, Gwangju Airport operated international flights to Japan and Southeast Asia until 2007, but has only operated domestic flights since the opening of Muan Airport in November of the same year.
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