At the end of last year, following the disaster at Muan International Airport involving Jeju Air, the government is set to announce a policy aimed at enhancing aviation safety, while domestic airlines are making efforts to secure maintenance personnel.
According to the airline industry on the 16th, this year, major domestic airlines plan to hire over 400 maintenance personnel. Low-cost carriers (LCCs) will hire around 340, while Korean Air will recruit about 60.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the government agency responsible for aviation safety, is scheduled to announce measures to enhance LCC safety in April. These measures will include aircraft utilization rates, compliance with maintenance standards, verification procedures before the introduction of new aircraft, and criteria for maintenance personnel. The Ministry has warned that airlines failing to meet safety standards could face intensified scrutiny for new route applications and operational suspensions.
Airlines appear to be busy with preparations. T’way Air, Jeju Air, Asiana Airlines, and JIN AIR have recently reinforced their maintenance staff, while Jin Air is currently in the process of hiring maintenance personnel. Although the Ministry recommended having 12 maintenance personnel per aircraft, most LCCs have not met this requirement.
Parata Airlines, formerly Fly Gangwon, is aiming to start operations in April and is hiring personnel in over 30 institutional sectors, including flight operations maintenance, aviation security, maintenance, cabin crew, sales, and management. Parata Airlines applied for a license change with the Ministry last November and is currently undergoing review. After obtaining an Air Operator Certificate (AOC), it is expected to commence its first flight this year.
Airlines are also considering introducing new aircraft for safe operations. Jeju Air announced last month that the average age of its passenger aircraft decreased from 14.1 years to 13.7 years with the addition of one B737-8 aircraft. T’way Air stated it would enhance maintenance capabilities by adding spare engines. Airlines like Eastar Jet and Parata Airlines also plan to add more aircraft.
An industry official noted, “This year, each airline must urgently recruit skilled maintenance personnel due to fleet expansion and tighter Ministry standards,” adding, “A large-scale hiring of new and experienced staff is expected following COVID-19.”