By: Aarav Sapra
Image: Aviation A2Z
In the aftermath of the tragic Jeju Air crash on December 29, 2024, which claimed 179 lives, South Korea’s government has mandated safety measures for its low-cost carriers. During a meeting with South Korea’s nine budget airlines, they demanded measures to reduce flight hours, improve pilot training, and increase the number of maintenance members. Jeju Air said it would reduce its planes’ average daily flight time to 12.8 hours from 14 per day, according to the ministry. They said the carrier will also add 41 maintenance workers to increase the total number to 350.
The crash, in which a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 smashed into a concrete wall at Muan International Airport, killing 179 people, was the worst aviation disaster that has occurred in South Korea. Investigations suggest that a bird strike and the proximity of the embankment to the runway may have contributed to the disaster. While there is no evidence indicating that poor maintenance or pilot error were factors in the crash, investigators will look into all aspects of the flight in order to piece together what actually happened. Furthermore, the South Korean government stated that airlines who do not agree to these new terms of safety will be suspended from their flight certificates. The ministry also plans to disclose information about non-compliant carriers to the public. Some of the government’s proposed safety measures may have a limited impact on safety, but they could help reduce the workloads of pilots and other workers and decrease the risk of fatigue leading to human error. The government’s demands could also raise costs for airlines that compete to offer cut-price travel. Increasing the size of maintenance crews, for instance, would increase operation costs for airlines, leading to more expensive tickets.
Jeju Air, the nation’s largest low-cost carrier, has faced scrutiny in the past for high aircraft operating hours and previous safety fines, and the recent crash has further intensified calls for improved safety measures within the airline industry. The investigation into the crash is ongoing, with assistance from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and Boeing. The flight data recorder, which sustained external damage, has been sent to the United States for analysis. The exact cause of the accident is expected to take months to determine. This tragedy has led to a national mourning period and raised concerns about aviation safety in South Korea.
