The South Korean government has revealed that Muang Airport's runway will remain closed until at least April 18, following the fatal Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crash on December 29.
The Department for Transport says the closure is being extended to take “follow-up measures” in the aftermath of the accident.
“The timing of resuming airport operations is currently in flux,” it adds. “However, the government will promptly implement the necessary measures to ensure safe and normal airport operations in the future.”
The three-month closure of runway 01/19 in “works in progress” is confirmed in Muan's Notam, published on 21 January.
Although not specifying the nature of the work, the government recently revealed the results of a safety inspection showing that seven airports have navigation systems built on concrete foundations or platforms.
Collision with the 737's Muan Localiser Antenna platform as Jet Overran Runway 19 destroyed the aircraft. Only two survivors emerged from the 181.
Several South Korean media channels are reporting that police are investigating the death of the former head of the Korea Airports Corporation, where he worked from 2018-22.
According to an official from the Jeonnam police agency quoted by South Korean broadcaster SBS, his son, President Jang Wan, was not under investigation in connection with the accident. It also quotes Yaongi police officers as saying the death is not being treated as suspicious.
