Jeju Regional Aviation Administration Urges 'Drone Flight Ban Within 9.3km Radius of Airport'

Published 19 Apr.2023 16:36(KST)

The Jeju Regional Aviation Administration of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (Director Na Woong-jin) has urged a drone flight ban within a 9.3 km radius of Jeju Airport.

According to the Jeju Regional Aviation Administration on the 19th, drones, which are used by people of all ages for purposes such as video shooting and leisure activities, are classified as ultra-light aircraft under the Aviation Safety Act and are managed somewhat strictly.

Jeju Regional Aviation Administration Urges 'Drone Flight Ban Within 9.3km Radius of Airport'

If operators fail to comply with regulations or fly without obtaining operator certification, they may face fines of up to 4 million KRW.

Those who fly ultra-light aircraft without operator certification or without approval from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport are subject to fines of 2 million KRW (up to 4 million KRW) and 1.5 million KRW (up to 3 million KRW), respectively.

If a person flies without flight approval in controlled airspace and interferes with aircraft takeoff and landing or disrupts airport operations, they may be fined up to 5 million KRW or face imprisonment.

The Jeju Regional Aviation Administration has established an “Illegal Drone Prevention Promotion Plan” to spread a culture of aviation safety compliance, displaying messages to prevent illegal drone flights on signs and flight information systems within the airport.

They plan to install promotional banners in areas vulnerable to illegal flights around the airport and in multi-use locations such as rental car houses within the airport, and will also produce and distribute brochures indicating regulations related to illegal drone flights and no-fly zones.

As part of this effort, a joint “Illegal Drone Prevention Awareness Campaign” with related organizations will be conducted to raise awareness of the dangers of illegal flights and provide guidance for safe and legal drone operation.

In cooperation with Jeju Province, they are also planning multifaceted promotions through bus arrival information terminals (BIT), Jeju Province’s YouTube channel, and institutional websites.

The awareness campaign, jointly conducted by the Jeju Regional Aviation Administration, Jeju Provincial Government, Korea Airports Corporation, Jeju Police Agency, and Airport Security Office, will take place on the 25th at the airport and rental car house facilities, targeting tourists visiting Jeju Airport with street promotions and brochure distribution.

They will inspect the “Drone Flight Ban Notice Signs” installed around Jeju Airport and continue promotions in cooperation with Jeju Provincial Government, Jeju Tourism Organization, and others at nearby tourist sites, rental car companies, and hotels.

Director Na Woong-jin stated, “With the increasing demand for drones, the number of people using drones professionally or as a hobby is rising, but relatively few operate them with basic knowledge of aviation. Operating drones without approval within drone flight ban zones (controlled airspace) may result in penalties under relevant laws.”