Will Height Restrictions at Gimpo Airport Really Be Eased After 70 Years?

"Is It Easing Height Restrictions?" "No, It's Actually Tightening Them"
"International Standards Are Review Criteria; Ministry of Land’s Stance Is Key"
Jin Gyohoon, Gangseo District Mayor: "Resolving Long-Standing Issues, Pursuing Practical Implemen

"Some have raised concerns that the proposed amendment to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards on height restrictions may actually strengthen regulations by including previously non-regulated areas. However, ICAO standards are not 'mandatory regulations' but rather 'review criteria,' and each country can adjust them according to their own circumstances regarding aircraft operations and urban conditions."

Jin Kyohun, mayor of Gangseo District in Seoul, made these remarks at a press briefing held at the Magok Safety Experience Center on September 11. He addressed the changes and concerns regarding areas surrounding airports following the ICAO standard revision, and presented specific application plans for Gimpo Airport.

In an interview with Asia Economy last month, Mayor Jin also said, "There are claims that if the ICAO height restriction amendment is applied domestically, height restrictions in neighboring areas-excluding Gangseo District-would actually be tightened, causing significant obstacles to reconstruction and redevelopment in the southwestern part of Seoul, such as Mokdong. However, it is not that regulations are being strengthened; each country can independently decide to exclude application or adjust standards, provided they have sufficient grounds."

Jin Kyohun, mayor of Gangseo District, is explaining the changes following the amendment of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and the application plan for Gimpo Airport at the 'Press Briefing' held at the Magok Safety Experience Center. Provided by Gangseo District.

First International Standard Revision in 70 Years: What If Applied to Gimpo Airport?

Last month, ICAO comprehensively revised its standards for managing aviation heights for the first time in 70 years. Previously, a single "Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS)" standard was applied, but from now on, it will be subdivided into "Obstacle Free Surface (OFS)" and "Obstacle Evaluation Surface (OES)." The key point of this amendment is to remove unnecessary regulations and ensure that only areas where safety is genuinely required are subject to restrictions.

The revised document clearly states the principle that "surfaces not in use do not need to be protected, and zones that do not affect safety can be released for development." While ICAO plans to fully implement the new standards starting in November 2030, countries may choose to adopt them earlier based on their own circumstances.

If the amendment is applied to Gimpo Airport, the method for imposing height restrictions will change significantly. Previously, there was a height limit of 45 meters within a 4-kilometer radius of the airport, and up to 100 meters in the conical section. The revised standards, however, introduce a multi-layered system based on both radius and height: 45 meters within a 3.35-kilometer radius, 60 meters within a 5.35-kilometer radius, and 90 meters within a 10.75-kilometer radius.

As a result, in the 3.35-4.3 kilometer zone, the height limit will be raised by up to 15 meters compared to the previous standard, expanding redevelopment possibilities in some areas. However, a new 90-meter restriction in the 5.35-10.75 kilometer zone could add regulations to areas with many high-rise buildings, such as Mokdong and Yeouido.

Some are concerned that these changes could actually lead to stricter regulations. However, Mayor Jin emphasized, "ICAO standards are review criteria, not mandatory regulations, and each country can adjust them according to their own circumstances regarding aircraft operations and urban conditions."

In fact, South Korea currently does not apply some of the ICAO-prescribed restrictions, such as the 15-kilometer radius and 150-meter outer horizontal surface regulation, or the takeoff climb surface (15 kilometers, 300 meters). Mayor Jin said, "If these standards had been applied mechanically, it would not have been possible to build structures like the 63 Building in Yeouido or the Hyperion in Mokdong in areas beyond the 15-kilometer radius."

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has also stated, "We will establish standards that balance urban development, aviation safety, and residents' rights, so that no area is put at a disadvantage compared to the current situation."

"Operation Procedure-Oriented, Excluding Unnecessary Restrictions"

Gangseo District began taking proactive measures immediately after the draft amendment was announced in 2023. Last year, the district reconstituted a public-private "Airport Height Restriction Easing Promotion Committee" and, through research, developed a draft for easing height restrictions at Gimpo Airport. Subsequently, the district submitted proposals to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport at a National Assembly seminar to advocate for easing height restrictions. In June, Mayor Jin and local National Assembly members even visited ICAO headquarters to confirm the possibility of early implementation.

The plan proposed by Gangseo District for Gimpo Airport is "focused on flight operation procedures." Since there are no circling approach procedures on the east side of Gimpo Airport (the Gangseo direction), horizontal surfaces intended for circling protection were excluded, and the height restriction system was adjusted to focus on straight-in instrument approach surfaces.

Accordingly, the lower standard on the east side of Gangseo District was relaxed from 45 meters to 80 meters, and a 2.5% gradient was applied to subsequent sections to maintain safety while avoiding excessive restrictions. Areas not subject to instrument procedure protection were excluded in a V-shape to reduce the burden on residents and local development.

Currently, there are 48 zones in Gangseo District with ongoing demand for redevelopment and reconstruction projects. The district expects that easing height restrictions will improve project feasibility and accelerate local development.

Jin Gyohoon, mayor of Gangseo District, stated that he plans to continuously request the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Seoul Metropolitan Government to establish reasonable domestic standards reflecting the purpose of the international standard revision. Provided by Gangseo District.

"The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Must Fully Reflect the Purpose of the International Standard Revision"

Gangseo District plans to continue urging the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Seoul Metropolitan Government to establish reasonable domestic standards that reflect the intent of the international standard revision. Mayor Jin stated, "No area should face more unfavorable height restrictions than before. This would go against the purpose of the revision, which is to ease regulations in line with advances in aviation technology."

The district also plans to push for amendments to relevant laws and the development of detailed guidelines reflecting aeronautical reviews to enable early implementation. ICAO has also indicated that early adoption is possible before the full implementation in 2030, provided that domestic regulatory adjustments are completed.

Mayor Jin said, "Easing height restrictions is not simply a matter of building height, but a task to restore urban development and residents' dignity. I will do my utmost to ensure that the long-held wishes of residents are realized as tangible results, not just slogans."