SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea plans to improve the structure of guided landing antennas at its airports this year, following a fatal crash in December of a Jeju Air plane that skidded off the runway and burst into flames after hitting such structures.
The Transportation Ministry has been examining safety at airlines and airports since the crash of a Boeing 737-800 jet at southwest Muan Airport, and on Monday announced a move to change the so-called “locator” structure.
The Ministry of Transport said in a statement that embankments or foundations made of concrete or steel were found to exist at seven domestic airports, including Muan Airport, and required modifications.
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It added that measures to improve the structure would be developed by this month, with improvements planned to be completed by the end of 2025.
The government also completed inspections of six domestic airlines operating Boeing 737-800 aircraft and found that some operators had exceeded pre-flight and post-flight inspection deadlines, failed to comply with aircraft defect resolution procedures or failed to board passengers.
The transportation ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether Jeju Air was among the airlines where violations were discovered. A spokesman for Jeju Air could not immediately be reached.
The Ministry of Public Safety stated in a statement that special security inspections will also be conducted at major airport facilities across the country from January 13 to 21.
(Reporting by Joyce Lee; Editing by Ed Davis and Kate Mayberry)
