Following the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster at Muan International Airport in Jeollanam-do, concerns are growing over the construction of new airports near migratory bird habitats. The planned locations for Gaduk New Airport, Saemangeum Airport, and Jeju's second airport are adjacent to migratory bird routes, highlighting the urgent need for measures to enhance aviation safety.
On the 31st, according to explanations from relevant ministries, it is presumed that the main cause of the Jeju Air Flight 2216 accident may have been a bird strike (an incident where a bird collides with an aircraft). The pilot of the accident aircraft received a bird warning from the control tower at 8:57 a.m. and declared a mayday at 8:59 a.m. while reporting a bird strike. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport presumes that the bird strike occurred between 8:57 and 8:59 a.m.
As the bird strike led to an unprecedented major accident, some voices are insisting on re-evaluating the safety of airports near migratory bird habitats. Gaduk New Airport, to be developed in Gangseo-gu, Busan, is currently in the basic design phase and is expected to undergo an environmental impact assessment process. This process is expected to include an examination of bird strike risks.
Gaduk New Airport is planned to be located about 7 kilometers from the Nakdong River estuary, which is one of the representative migratory bird habitats. According to a 2022 survey by the Korean Federation for Environmental Movements, the number of migratory birds passing over the planned runway area of Gaduk New Airport reached 6,400 over two days.
Saemangeum Airport, planned for construction in Gunsan, Jeollabuk-do, is also expected to experience frequent appearances of migratory birds since it will be located on tidal flats. The 2022 Saemangeum Airport Environmental Impact Assessment report warned that "plovers and snipes use Yubu-do and Seocheon Tidal Flats (adjacent to the Sura Tidal Flats) as stopover locations and move on a large scale during high tide, posing a collision risk during aircraft takeoff and landing during that time," highlighting the need for mitigation measures.
The second airport in Jeju's Seongsan-eup also received high assessments regarding bird strike risks. According to the strategic environmental impact assessment review results submitted by the Korea Environment Institute (KEI) to the Ministry of Environment last year, the bird strike risk at Jeju's second airport is up to 8.3 times higher than that of Jeju Airport. It's also up to 4.96 times higher than at airports such as Gimpo and Incheon, where bird strike incidents are frequent.
The accident at Muan Airport also occurred near a migratory bird habitat, with over 12,000 winter migratory birds passing through the area annually. In particular, it's surrounded by major bird habitats such as the Muan Tidal Flat Wetland Protected Area, Changpoho, and Cheonggyeman.
Bird strikes can lead to aircraft engine damage and fuselage breakage. In fact, an analysis suggests that if a bird weighing 900 grams collides with an aircraft taking off at a speed of 370 km/h, the instant impact on the aircraft can reach about 4.8 tons. This can significantly affect the structural stability of the aircraft's fuselage and engine.
Bird strike incidents are on a consistent rise. According to data from the South Korean Democratic Party's Lee Yeon-hee's office obtained from Korea Airports Corporation, the number of bird strike cases recorded at 14 domestic airports (excluding Incheon International Airport) increased from 91 in 2019 to 130 last year, with 58 cases already reported by August this year.
It is also pointed out that the number of personnel dedicated to bird deterrence at airports is insufficient. According to Lee Yeon-hee's office, the total number of personnel dedicated to bird deterrence at 14 local airports nationwide (excluding Incheon International Airport) is only 100. Gimpo Airport, which has many flights, has 23, the most, followed by Jeju Airport with 20 and Gimhae Airport with 16. On the other hand, Muan International Airport had only 4, with only 1 outdoor specialist for bird deterrence on the day of the accident.
Experts are pointing out the need for systematic management of migratory bird areas and comprehensive measures for the safe operation of aircraft. Gong Ha-seong, a professor of Fire and Disaster Prevention at Woosuk University, noted, "We need to increase manpower during times when birds are active in the morning or evening and consider adjusting flight times. It's important to assign personnel with expertise rather than having them juggle multiple roles." Professor Yoon Moon-gil of Korea Aerospace University stressed the need to check whether local airports are complying with international standard regulations for bird strikes and examine the overall management system.
Following the Muan Airport accident, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport stated its intent to thoroughly review the bird strike risks at airports near migratory bird habitats and strengthen measures. The government is issuing guidelines to remove risk factors as much as possible if bird strike risks are raised during the airport construction process through environmental impact assessments and strategic environmental assessments.
An official from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport said, "In new airport projects, we will prepare more thorough bird strike risk analyses and supplementary measures than before, and ensure safety through environmental impact assessments and expert reviews."