Airport Facility Usage Fees for Airlines Temporarily Deferred Starting Next Month

As the burden on the airline industry has increased due to the Middle East war, the government has decided to temporarily defer airport facility usage fees starting next month.

On April 20, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yoon-duk met with the CEOs of 12 domestic airlines at Incheon International Airport to discuss measures for overcoming the industry crisis and protecting consumers. The meeting came as the airline industry faced continued high exchange rates and, since the end of February, soaring jet fuel prices caused by the ongoing Middle East conflict, resulting in heightened instability.

Minister Kim stated, "The airline industry is currently facing an unavoidable crisis due to a surge in costs driven by geopolitical risks." He added, "This not only worsens profitability but also leads to higher fares and route instability, undermining the right to mobility for citizens and directly increasing burdens on consumers." He emphasized, "Protecting the industry's ecosystem is a matter of public welfare, so let us work closely together-government and airlines-to overcome these challenges."

Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yoonduk met with the CEOs of 12 domestic airlines on the 20th to discuss the recent business situation. Photo by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport

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To ease the management burden on airlines, the government has temporarily postponed previously implemented financial structure improvement orders. The temporary deferral of airport facility usage fee payments, which the industry has long requested, will delay deadlines for payments such as landing fees, lighting fees, and parking fees depending on the route, aircraft type, and airport. Currently, landing fees range from around 100,000 won to 3 million won per aircraft, lighting fees range from 43,000 won to 106,000 won, and parking fees range from 51,000 won to 1,615,000 won. Previously, during the COVID-19 crisis in 2020, these fees were either reduced or deferred.

In addition, the government has requested emergency management stabilization funds from the fiscal authorities to support small and medium-sized airlines struggling due to the Middle East war. Depending on an airline's management circumstances, the government will temporarily defer the retrieval of slots in a phased and selective manner to minimize consumer inconvenience when airlines reduce routes.

The government also requested that airlines provide thorough advance notice in the event of flight cancellations due to route reductions. It will conduct special inspections to ensure that airlines are taking measures to enhance consumer convenience, such as providing alternative flights, and to maintain safety management. This is to ensure that even under difficult management conditions, investment in safety is not compromised.

Minister Kim stated, "The government will do its utmost to serve as a breakwater so that airlines can withstand these rough waves." He urged, "I ask all CEOs to personally conduct on-site inspections and ensure that there is no negligence in important safety-related work such as aircraft maintenance, so that the core values of safe operation and user protection are upheld to the very end."

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