Muan: Muan International Airport, which had been completely closed due to the Jeju Air passenger plane crash on Dec. 29 last year, has resumed flights for emergency medical care and educational training after 56 days, airport officials said Monday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, aviation authorities have permitted flights approved by the airport's control tower specifically for rescue, search, or medical evacuation operations, beginning at 9 p.m. Sunday. This reopening follows a tragic incident where a Jeju Air jet from Bangkok erupted into flames on Dec. 29 after crashing into the localizer's concrete mound. The crash occurred as the plane overshot the runway during an emergency belly landing at the airport, located about 290 kilometers south of Seoul. Out of the 181 individuals on board, only two managed to survive.
Authorities have also granted permission for educational institutions to conduct visual flights during the week without utilizing the localizer, which is typically used to provide precision guidance to aircraft approaching a runway. At present, five universities and three private organizations conduct flight training at Muan using 21 aircraft. As a result, each of the eight institutions commenced takeoff and landing training at the airport on Monday morning.
In the meantime, civilian passenger flights to and from Muan remain suspended until April 18. This suspension allows for comprehensive safety and facility inspections, including necessary improvements to the localizer mound.