Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province is temporarily closed due to a passenger plane accident involving Jeju Air, while one Jin Air passenger plane is reportedly stranded at Muan Airport. The Jin Air flight landed about 10 minutes before the accident aircraft. Muan Airport is scheduled to remain closed until Jan. 7, 2025, but there is a possibility of an extension, making it impossible for Jin Air flights to operate for at least more than 10 days.
According to the aviation industry on the 31st, a Jin Air Boeing 737-800 passenger aircraft (HL8012) that arrived from Taipei, Taiwan, on the 29th is abandoned at Muan Airport due to the runway closure. The aircraft departed Taipei, Taiwan, at 5:38 a.m. on the same day and landed at 8:54 a.m. It was scheduled to depart for Osaka, Japan, after maintenance.
However, about 10 minutes after landing, a similar type aircraft, Jeju Air flight 2216, collided with an external wall, resulting in the deaths of 179 of the 181 passengers on board. Following the accident, the runway at Muan Airport became unusable.
With the Jin Air aircraft stranded at Muan Airport, all future flight schedules for the aircraft have been canceled. The aircraft was scheduled to fly to Osaka on the 29th, return to Muan, and then serve routes to Jeju, Tokyo, and Taipei.
As a result of the aircraft being grounded, Jin Air is expected to incur losses of at least several hundred million won. The canceled routes include ▲ Muan to Osaka (5 flights) ▲ Muan to Jeju (6 flights) ▲ Muan to Taipei (3 flights) ▲ Muan to Tokyo (2 flights). According to travel portal Trip.com, the average airfare for Muan to Osaka from the 29th to Jan. 5 is 189,000 won. During the same period, the cost for Muan to Jeju is 37,800 won, Muan to Taipei is 73,400 won, and Muan to Tokyo is 128,000 won. Even if only about two-thirds of the 189 seats, or 125 seats, are filled, the loss from scheduled flights alone would amount to several hundred million won.
The cause of the accident is estimated to be various factors. First, if compensation for damages is made by the aircraft insurance company of Jeju Air, Jin Air is also expected to receive compensation. A Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport official noted, “If it’s a natural disaster, the insurance company would pay the insurance money, but who bears the cost may vary depending on where the responsibility lies.”
A Jin Air official said, “Currently, there are plans to retrieve the aircraft once operations resume at Muan Airport, but nothing else has been decided.” A Jeju Air official stated, “We are currently concentrating on supporting the families of the accident victims, and other matters can be confirmed later.”