South Korea will start deploying drones at airports in the first half of this year to mitigate the risk of bird strikes. This initiative is part of a broader overhaul of aviation safety measures announced four months after the country's deadliest aviation disaster.
The government also plans to rebuild critical infrastructure at six airports by the end of the year, implement strategies to address pilot fatigue, and increase the number of safety supervisors.
On December 29, the pilots of Jeju Air Flight 2216 issued a “Mayday” call after reporting a bird strike as the aircraft was descending toward Muan International Airport in the southwest. Following a sharp maneuver, the plane landed on its belly, slid down the runway, and collided with a concrete barrier, resulting in a fireball that claimed the lives of 179 of the 181 individuals onboard.
Aviation safety experts have indicated that the impact with the barrier—a structure known as a localizer, which assists aircraft during landing—may have significantly contributed to the high fatality rate. The government announced plans to replace such concrete localizers with frangible structures that are designed to break apart upon impact.
While investigators have yet to determine the cause of the crash or the extent of the bird strike's impact, the country’s transport ministry reported finding bird feathers and blood in both engines of the jet. An investigation revealed that officials from the Korea Airports Corporation had been alerted to the risks of bird strikes at Muan Airport for years prior to the incident.
The transport ministry stated that drone deployment aimed at preventing birds from approaching airports will commence in the first half of this year. By the end of next year, the ministry plans to develop drones capable of identifying birds and releasing repellents, with the intention of introducing these drones to all national airports starting in 2028. Drones are widely utilized at airports globally to deter bird flocks from flight paths.
In February, the South Korean government had already committed 247 billion won (approximately $174 million) over three years to enhance bird-strike prevention measures across all airports. This funding will support the installation of bird-detection devices and the implementation of a national radar system to alert air traffic controllers, safety personnel, and pilots to bird activity.
The ministry announced that thermal imaging cameras will be installed in June, followed by sound wave generators in August. Additionally, laser guns will be added to the deterrent arsenal, and more vehicles will be acquired for airport patrols. At the time of the crash, Muan International Airport lacked many of these necessary tools.
Government and airport officials have acknowledged that the bird-prevention patrol team at Muan Airport was understaffed and inadequately equipped to effectively deter birds from the vicinity.
On Wednesday, the government also pledged to work with local aviation offices and the Korea Airports Corporation to prevent birds from congregating in the areas surrounding airports, many of which are located near marshy wetlands that serve as bird habitats. Conservationists have criticized the decision to build airports in proximity to these natural environments.