In the aftermath of the Jeju Air plane crash that resulted in 179 fatalities, South Korea's transportation ministry has mandated budget airlines to prioritize safety over profit margins. During a recent meeting with the nation's nine low-cost carriers, officials urged a comprehensive overhaul of safety protocols, including limits on daily flight hours, enhanced training for pilots, and an increase in maintenance personnel.
South Korea's Aviation Crackdown: A Response to Jeju Air's Tragedy
South Korea's Aviation Crackdown: A Response to Jeju Air's Tragedy
South Korea's government tightens regulations for budget airlines to ensure passenger safety following a catastrophic plane crash.
Jeju Air announced plans to reduce its daily average flight time from 14 hours to 12.8 hours per aircraft and to hire an additional 41 maintenance workers, bringing their total to 350. The tragic incident, which saw a Boeing 737-800 collide with a concrete barrier at Muan International Airport, was marked as South Korea's deadliest aviation disaster and drew significant public concern worldwide.
Despite investigations still ongoing, which will scrutinize the aircraft's maintenance history and all potential contributing factors, the ministry has firmly stated that airlines failing to meet safety standards could face suspension of their flight certificates. Local travel agencies report noticeable declines in bookings following the crash, reflecting a shaken public confidence in air travel safety in the region.
Despite investigations still ongoing, which will scrutinize the aircraft's maintenance history and all potential contributing factors, the ministry has firmly stated that airlines failing to meet safety standards could face suspension of their flight certificates. Local travel agencies report noticeable declines in bookings following the crash, reflecting a shaken public confidence in air travel safety in the region.
