South Korea plans to overhaul 'local operators' at airport after deadly Jeju Air crash

SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea plans to upgrade the structures that house the landing-control antennas at its airports this year following the fatal crash in December of a Jeju Air flight, which skidded off the runway and burst into flames after hitting the structure.

The Ministry of Transport, which has been assessing security conditions at airlines and airports since the crash of a Boeing 737-800 at the southwest Muan airport, announced the move to replace the “localizer” facilities on Monday.

Seven domestic airports, including Muan, were found to have slopes or foundations made of concrete or steel that need to be replaced, the ministry said in a statement.

It added that it will prepare ways to improve the infrastructure this month and aims to complete its development by the end of 2025.

The government also completed inspections of six domestic Boeing 737-800s, and found violations by some operators including skipping pre- and post-flight inspections, and not following procedures for troubleshooting aircraft or boarding passengers.

The Department of Transportation did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether Jeju Air was among the airlines found to have violated the rules. A spokesperson for Jeju Air was not immediately available.

Special security checks at the country's major airports will also take place between January 13-21, the department said in a statement.

(Reporting by Joyce Lee; Editing by Ed Davies and Kate Mayberry)