"The Government Must Announce a Plan for the Reopening of Muan Airport"
Demand for a 'Roadmap to Develop the Southwestern Gateway Airport'
Gwangju Mayor Kang Kijeong is having a casual meeting with reporters in the city hall press room on the afternoon of the 18th, explaining major municipal issues. Provided by Gwangju City
On the 18th, Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijung demanded, "The government should first present a plan for the reopening of Muan International Airport that guarantees safety and security, as well as a roadmap for the Southwestern Gateway Airport."
Meeting with reporters at City Hall on this day, Mayor Kang said, "We experienced the worst disaster in the history of domestic aviation at Muan Airport. Due to martial law and the passenger plane disaster, the project to create the Southwestern Gateway Airport for the relocation of the integrated civil-military airport and the revitalization of Muan Airport has also been put on hold," he stated.
He added, "I hope that through a thorough investigation into the cause of the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster and measures to prevent recurrence, we can create an airport that is 'safe and secure 24 hours a day.' To this end, we will officially propose to the government a 'roadmap for the Southwestern Gateway Airport' and 'temporary international flights at Gwangju Airport.'"
He continued, "First, the government must clarify when and through what measures Muan International Airport will reopen, and furthermore, present a step-by-step plan to develop it into the Southwestern Gateway Airport as demanded by the citizens of the city and province."
He also added, "As revealed in this disaster, Muan Airport is an airport frequently used by Gwangju citizens. Therefore, Gwangju City will take on an even more responsible role."
Mayor Kang said, "As Kim Youngrok, the governor of Jeonnam, mentioned on the 6th, 'Let's resolve the simultaneous relocation of the Gwangju civil-military airport as soon as possible for the joint development of Gwangju and Jeonnam,' I believe Jeonnam Province and Muan County will also approach this with a new determination. Whether the airport can recover from this disaster depends on the government's decision and our efforts," urging active cooperation from Jeonnam Province and Muan County.
Gwangju City plans to officially propose 'temporary international flights at Gwangju Airport' to the government and the National Assembly's special committee on the December 29 passenger plane disaster, considering the recovery of the tourism industry hit by the recent Jeju Air passenger plane disaster and the aviation accessibility for local residents.
Meanwhile, Mayor Kang reiterated, "Due to the long-term closure of Muan Airport following the disaster, local residents' global accessibility has been cut off, and the tourism industry is facing a crisis with 20,900 canceled trips and 30 billion won in lost sales. In this situation, many local residents and the tourism industry are demanding temporary international flights at Gwangju Airport, and I once again request that the government and the National Assembly's special committee actively review this demand."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
