Will We Fly to Baengnyeongdo in 2027? Baengnyeong Airport Selected for Preliminary Feasibility Study Project

Building a 50-Seat Small Airport with a 174 Billion Won Budget... Construction to Start in 2025

Scenic view of the planned site for Baengnyeong Airport construction [Provided by Incheon City]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] By 2027, the possibility of flying to Baengnyeongdo, the northernmost island in the West Sea, will greatly increase.

Incheon City announced on the 3rd that the Baengnyeong Airport construction project was selected as a subject for the preliminary feasibility study (PFS) at the 6th National Fiscal Evaluation Committee meeting held by the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

Although the city was consecutively rejected in the reviews held in May and December last year, it succeeded in getting this project reviewed by emphasizing the necessity of the project, such as improving residential conditions in border areas and revitalizing tourism in the five West Sea islands.

Previously, in 2017, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's "Pre-feasibility Review of Baengnyeong Airport Construction Project" showed a high cost-benefit (B/C) ratio of 2.19, raising great expectations for the project's feasibility.

Baengnyeong Airport is a key project promoted by Incheon City to improve the residential environment of residents on the northernmost island in the West Sea and to guarantee a one-day living zone.

With a project cost of 174 billion KRW, it will be constructed as a small airport with a 1.2 km long and 30 m wide runway, passenger terminal, apron, and control tower on a 254,000㎡ area in the Solgae district of Baengnyeong-myeon, Ongjin-gun, accommodating 50-seat aircraft.

Following the preliminary feasibility study analysis next year, the project will go through procedures such as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's airport development master plan establishment and feasibility study service in 2023, basic and detailed design services, and implementation plan approval in 2024. Construction is scheduled to start in 2025, aiming for opening in 2027.

Meanwhile, Incheon City plans to establish development directions for the area surrounding Baengnyeong Airport through the "Baengnyeong Airport Surrounding Area Development Strategy and Master Plan Establishment Service" next year, preparing measures to create synergy linked with the airport in accommodation, tourism, leisure, and medical services.

Once Baengnyeong Airport is built, the flight time from Gimpo Airport to Baengnyeongdo will take about one hour, significantly reducing the current travel time of over four hours by passenger ferry.

Accordingly, accessibility to Baengnyeongdo as well as the three northernmost islands in the West Sea?Daecheongdo and Socheongdo?will improve, enabling a one-day living zone, and emergency response capabilities will be enhanced, leading to a revolutionary improvement in the residential environment for local residents.

Baengnyeong Airport Location Map [Provided by Incheon City]

Additionally, based on the pristine natural scenery such as the Baengnyeong-Daecheong area designated as a national geopark in 2019, the city expects that domestic and international tourism and investment attraction will be revitalized, contributing to balanced regional development.

Mayor Park Namchun said, "We will ensure that follow-up procedures proceed smoothly so that Baengnyeong Airport can open in 2027," and added, "Through the development of Baengnyeong Airport and its surrounding area, we will create jobs and attract investment to help Baengnyeongdo develop into the second Jeju Island."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.