South Korea plans to overhaul airport structures after fatal Jeju Air crash

South Korea's transport ministry has announced plans to improve safety structures at its airports following the December crash of a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 at Muan airport. The crash resulted in 179 fatalities when the aircraft skidded off the runway, struck a "localiser" structure used for guiding landings, and burst into flames.

The ministry identified safety issues with the "localiser" structures at seven domestic airports, including Muan. These structures were found to have embankments or foundations made of concrete or steel that require modification. Plans for the improvements are expected to be finalized by the end of January 2025, with completion targeted by the end of the same year. Although specific details on the planned improvements have not been disclosed, aviation safety experts have criticized the placement of the embankments, stating they likely contributed to the high death toll in the crash.

In addition to addressing structural concerns, the ministry completed inspections of six domestic airlines operating Boeing 737-800s. These inspections revealed several violations, including exceeding inspection timeframes for pre- and post-flight checks, failing to adhere to procedures for addressing aircraft defects, and non-compliance with passenger boarding protocols. However, the ministry has not confirmed whether Jeju Air was among the airlines found in violation.

To ensure broader aviation safety, a special inspection of major airport facilities is scheduled from January 13–21, 2025. This initiative aims to identify and address safety risks across South Korea’s airport network.

As part of the ongoing investigation, the government has extended the shutdown of Muan airport to January 19. These measures reflect South Korea’s commitment to enhancing aviation safety standards and preventing similar tragedies in the future.