Establishing an Operation Resumption Plan After Safety Facility Improvements
Support for Regular Flights... Positive Outlook for Attracting New Routes
Expectations for Airport Normalization with Traffic Rights and Slot Preferences
"Doing Our Best to Support Transformation into a Passenger and Logistics Hub Airport"
Measures to strengthen the role of Muan International Airport as a gateway airport for the southwestern region, including its early reopening, are being promoted.
Seo Samseok, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (Yeongam, Muan, Shinan in Jeonnam), announced on the 1st that he had received plans from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (hereafter MOLIT) regarding the early reopening of Muan Airport and measures to revitalize airport usage, including establishing an airport operation resumption plan, expanding regular flight routes, and supporting affected areas.
On the 14th of last month, Representative Seo submitted a proposal to the Minister of MOLIT containing requests for the prompt reopening of Muan International Airport and plans for revitalization after reopening. The proposal included: presenting a schedule for the swift reopening and resumption of operations, strategies to attract regular flight routes, preferential allocation of traffic rights and slots (airport takeoff and landing times) for existing airlines, and support for businesses affected in nearby areas.
Muan International Airport surpassed 900,000 passengers in 2019 and was on the verge of reaching 1 million, but experienced a temporary slowdown due to the impact of COVID-19. Since last year, with the launch of its first regular flight routes since opening, the number of flights increased by 82% compared to the previous year, revitalizing the airport. The number of airport users also surged from 37,000 in 2022 to 234,000 last year, representing a nearly sevenfold increase in demand.
However, following the Jeju Air accident on December 29 last year, airport operations were suspended, causing ongoing inconvenience for residents of Gwangju and Jeonnam, as well as a halt in tourist inflow and continued damages.
In its official response, MOLIT stated that it would promptly repair airport safety facilities and establish a plan for reopening after safety reviews to enable the early reopening of Muan International Airport. Additionally, to revitalize the airport after reopening, MOLIT will actively support the launch of regular flight routes and attract new airlines by providing flight incentives and reducing facility usage fees. For existing airlines, traffic rights and slot preferences will be granted to enable a swift return to normal passenger flight operations after reopening.
In addition, in consultation with the National Assembly, MOLIT promised to prepare special support measures for businesses near affected areas, as well as support for Muan International Airport operators, users, and nearby businesses.
Representative Seo stated, "According to the current plan, if the design for the improvement of the azimuth facility begins at the end of March to early April and the performance verification and safety review procedures are completed, the airport could reopen in the second half of this year. The government must prepare additional revitalization measures, including early reopening, for Muan International Airport to re-emerge as the gateway airport of the southwestern region."
He added, "I will do my utmost to support Muan International Airport so that it can overcome the pain of the accident and transform into the safest airport in Korea and a hub for passenger and logistics exchange."
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