The government plans to install thermal imaging cameras and radar for bird detection at all domestic airports and relocate bird attraction facilities around the airports to safe areas. This measure is intended to prevent bird strike incidents, which have been identified as the primary cause of the Jeju Air passenger plane tragedy at Muan International Airport.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport presented these bird strike prevention measures and aviation safety enhancement plans at the 'Dec. 29 Special Committee for the Identification of Truth Regarding the Passenger Plane Tragedy and the Compensation of Victims and Their Families' held at the National Assembly on the 6th.
The ministry plans to install thermal imaging cameras and bird detection radar at all airports nationwide to detect birds early. The introduction of a bird detection system will allow for real-time detection of bird movements through thermal imaging cameras and radar. This information will provide crucial insight to pilots and air traffic controllers, enabling them to avoid collisions by altering flight paths if necessary. After discussions with specialized service companies and relevant task forces, the development of a Korean model of bird detection radar will proceed, with initial airports selected for installation starting in April this year.
The ministry plans to strengthen the legal basis to limit the installation of bird attraction facilities located around airports within this year. These facilities include orchards, pig farms, food processing plants, and bird protection zones, among 11 other types.
The Airport Facilities Law stipulates that orchards and food waste treatment plants cannot be installed within 3 kilometers of an airport and that bird protection zones cannot be installed within 8 kilometers. However, there are no penalties for violations, leading to ineffective regulation. According to the ministry, 115 prohibited facilities were identified around 15 airports nationwide.
To prevent bird strikes, the ministry will operate a dedicated workforce of at least two people at all times and will prioritize recruiting additional personnel through job postings this month. Recent inspections by the ministry found that some airports, including Muan, Ulsan, Yangyang, Yeosu, Sacheon, Pohang-Gyeongju, and Wonju, had only one staff member assigned during nights and weekends. Notably, on the Sunday morning when the Jeju Air incident occurred, there was only one staff member on duty. Incheon International Airport and Gimhae International Airport were also short by eight and six preventive personnel, respectively, failing to meet the established standards.
The personnel standards for domestic airports require a minimum of two to a maximum of 48 staff members based on the number of runways and operating hours. Accordingly, Incheon International Airport Corporation and Korea Airport Service's subsidiary, KAC Airport Service, as well as Southern Airport Service, are planning to issue job postings this month to expand their dedicated workforce by hiring an additional 40 staff members, raising the total to 190.
Additionally, a bird strike prevention committee comprising bird experts, airlines, and local governments will be established to hold regular meetings twice a year. The ministry will inspect the implementation status of bird strike prevention activities at airports at least once a year and plans to establish penalties for the newly installed unauthorized bird attraction facilities.
The ministry is set to finalize the design for improvements to the localizer facilities by the end of this month, with plans to complete the modifications within the year. Facilities that can be improved early are scheduled for completion within the first half of this year. A technical review of the runway incursion prevention system (EMAS) will take place by April, with plans to determine an implementation strategy.
An estimated budget of about 247 billion won will be allocated over three years for the installation of bird detection radar and improvements to localizer facilities. For this year alone, about 67 billion won is earmarked, which does not include separate calculations of national funding and the airport corporation's budget. The ministry explained that Korea Airport Service will initially invest the necessary budget for urgent facility improvements, with subsequent reimbursement from government funds.
Joo Jong-wan, head of the aviation policy department at the ministry, noted, "Establishing reform measures across aviation safety to prevent the recurrence of aircraft accidents is a top priority," adding, "We will do our utmost to fundamentally improve domestic aviation safety, including the preparation of aviation safety innovation measures by April."