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Photo: Jeju Air |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] Flights departing from Gimhae International Airport were disrupted after an unauthorized drone was detected near the airport, forcing aircraft to remain on the runway with passengers onboard.
On the night of May 19, a Jeju-bound flight that was scheduled to depart at 9:15 p.m. remained stationary for over an hour despite all passengers having already boarded. The delay was caused by air traffic restrictions following reports of a drone flying near the airport.
According to authorities, the Republic of Korea Air Force’s 5th Air Mobility Wing halted takeoffs and landings for approximately 45 minutes starting at 9:14 p.m. as a safety precaution.
During the disruption, one flight was diverted and six others were delayed. A Korean Air flight from Nagoya was unable to land at Gimhae, rerouted to Cheongju, and ultimately redirected to Incheon due to nighttime curfew restrictions. Around 150 passengers were later transported to Busan by chartered buses.
Inside the delayed aircraft, frustration mounted as passengers waited without a clear departure time. Cabin announcements cited the drone incident, but as delays stretched beyond 30 minutes, concerns over missed reservations and travel plans grew. Some passengers reported waiting nearly an hour before takeoff clearance was finally granted.
Aviation authorities impose immediate restrictions when unauthorized drones are detected near airports due to the high risk of collision with aircraft engines or cockpit windows, which could lead to catastrophic accidents.
Under South Korea’s aviation safety regulations, drone operations within a 9.3 km radius of airports require prior approval from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Violations can result in fines of up to KRW 5 million.
Officials emphasized that even a single drone can disrupt multiple flights and affect hundreds of passengers, urging operators to check flight zones and obtain proper authorization before flying.
Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
