SEOUL: Concerns regarding the maintenance practices of low-cost carriers have emerged in the wake of a Jeju Air incident, prompting scrutiny over the heavy reliance on overseas repairs for critical aircraft maintenance. This development follows a recent accident involving a Jeju Air B737-800, where a landing gear malfunction is suspected to have compromised safety.
According to Yonhap News Agency, industry analysts have raised alarms that operational priorities might have overshadowed essential maintenance protocols at Jeju Air. Data from the transport ministry reveals that domestic airlines spent a significant 1.99 trillion won (approximately US$1.35 billion) on overseas maintenance in 2023, marking a 58.2 percent increase from 2019. This trend is even more pronounced among budget carriers, where overseas maintenance expenditures surged by 63.6 percent to 502.7 billion won last year.
The statistics further indicate that low-cost carriers conducted 71.1 percent of their repairs abroad in 2023. Unlike full-service carriers like Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, which possess the infrastructure and capabilities for major repairs, budget airlines lack such resources and are compelled to outsource maintenance operations. Currently, Korean Air and Korea Aviation Engineering and Maintenance Service are the only domestic providers offering comprehensive maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services.
Jeju Air CEO Kim E-bae addressed these concerns at a recent press briefing, acknowledging that the airline conducts some repairs locally while outsourcing the remainder to international MRO providers. Industry experts emphasize the necessity of developing a robust domestic MRO sector to improve the maintenance capabilities of low-cost carriers.
The global aviation MRO market is expected to grow to $124.1 billion by 2034, but South Korea's advancement in this field has been sluggish. In an effort to bolster competitiveness, the transport ministry announced in August 2021 a plan to increase local maintenance to 70 percent by 2024. However, tangible progress was only seen last April with the groundbreaking of the Incheon Airport Advanced Aviation Complex, designed as a dedicated MRO cluster.
An aviation industry insider, speaking on condition of anonymity, commented, "Most low-cost carriers depend on overseas experts for major repairs, which can lead to efficiency and cost challenges. Enhancing maintenance quality is crucial for aviation safety, and government intervention is vital to address this issue."