From Next Month, Jeju-Busan Air Route Expands to Two Lanes

Dual Track of 300km Air Route... Expected Improvement in Safety and Efficiency

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Wanyong] The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 30th that it will double-track the Namhae air route (A586) between Jeju and Busan, approximately 300 km, starting from the 1st of next month to improve aviation safety and operational efficiency.

Until now, the Namhae air route between Jeju and Busan has been operated as a single-track air route where aircraft flying in opposite directions maintain altitude separation to pass each other. There have been calls for improvements in safety and efficiency to handle the increasing traffic volume.

With this double-tracking, the air routes toward Jeju and Busan will be operated separately, eliminating the possibility of aircraft proximity incidents during ascent and descent in opposite directions, thereby enhancing flight safety. Additionally, the smooth flow of air traffic will ensure the punctuality of aircraft operations.

To implement the double-tracking, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport closely coordinated with the Ministry of National Defense to adjust military airspace adjacent to the air route, and also revised the arrival and departure flight procedures at Jeju, Gimhae, Sacheon, and Yeosu airports connected to the air route.

The double-tracking is expected to yield cost savings including approximately KRW 8.8 billion (880 million tons) in annual fuel costs based on the A320, a reduction of 28,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, about KRW 12 billion in ground navigation facility installation costs, and around KRW 5 billion in annual operating costs.

Furthermore, this section is used not only by domestic routes such as Jeju-Busan and Jeju-Daegu but also by international routes connecting Daegu and Busan to Southeast Asia including Thailand, Singapore, and the Philippines, so improvements in punctuality and reductions in ground delays are also expected.

Hadongsoo, Director of Aviation Policy at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, stated, “We plan to continue working with related ministries to alleviate airspace and air route congestion and create an environment where aircraft can operate safely and economically.”

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