Muan Airport Runway Closed Until April 18... "Resumption Timing Uncertain"

Jeju Air passenger plane accident has caused Jeonnam Muan International Airport to remain closed until mid-April.

On the 18th, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced, "To carry out follow-up measures after the Jeju Air passenger plane accident at Muan Airport, the runway closure period will be extended by three months until 5 a.m. on April 18 (Korea Standard Time)." Muan Airport has only one runway, so when the runway is closed, the airport cannot be used.

On the 29th, a Jeju Air passenger plane carrying 181 passengers collided with the outer wall of the runway while landing at Muan International Airport, causing a fire that resulted in the deaths of most passengers. Wreckage of the accident aircraft is placed on the runway at Muan International Airport, Jeollanam-do. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

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After the accident on the 29th of last month, the runway was temporarily closed until the morning of the 1st of this month, and the closure period was extended three times until the morning of the 19th. Since aircraft debris still remains at the accident site and the cause investigation is ongoing, the closure period appears to have been extended.

The runway is expected to reopen after the on-site investigation is completed and the airport facilities damaged by the accident are restored.

As the closure period extends, Jin Air's B737-800 passenger plane (HL8012) will remain grounded at Muan Airport for a while longer. This aircraft arrived at Muan from Taipei, Taiwan, just before the Jeju Air accident and has been unable to move due to the runway closure.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport explained, "At this point, the reopening date of the airport is uncertain, but we plan to promptly take necessary measures to ensure safe and normal airport operations in the future."

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