Jin Air Passenger Plane Grounded at Muan Airport to Receive Flight Clearance Tomorrow

After being grounded at Muan International Airport for about a month and a half following the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster, Jin Air's passenger plane is now able to take off.

According to the aviation industry on the 15th, the Busan Regional Aviation Administration of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport temporarily opened the closed runway at Muan Airport at 12:30 PM on the 16th, granting permission for Jin Air's B737-800 passenger plane (HL8012) to move. This marks the first aircraft movement at Muan Airport in 50 days since the Jeju Air accident.

The aircraft arrived at the airport about 10 minutes before the Jeju Air passenger plane accident on December 29 last year, but its movement was restricted immediately after the runway was closed due to the accident. Jin Air applied five times for irregular flight operation permits from the Busan Regional Aviation Administration to move the aircraft, but all were rejected. It is known that the decision to grant permission was delayed because some of the bereaved families of the Jeju Air accident demanded an investigation into the accident's related circumstances.

In response, Jin Air filed an administrative lawsuit on the 5th seeking cancellation of the flight refusal order. On the 7th, they also filed a damages claim lawsuit against the state. With the permission to move the passenger plane granted on this day, Jin Air plans to consider withdrawing the administrative lawsuit as the practical benefits of the lawsuit have disappeared. It is reported that a decision has not yet been made on whether to proceed with the damages claim lawsuit.

The aircraft is expected to undergo inspection and maintenance to confirm its airworthiness before being put back into service for safe flight.