CRI

 [ABSTRACT]

The massive disaster at Muan Airport in late 2024 heightened public concern about the safety of regional airports. Cheongju International Airport, located in North Chungcheong Province, has a shorter runway than Muan Airport, raising public concerns about its safety. This study aims to suggest policy directions for North Chungcheong Province to strengthen airport safety and ensure the sustainable growth of Cheongju Airport. To this end, we first reviewed the concept and classification of aviation accidents, their causes, and accidents by flight phase. Global aviation accidents have been decreasing significantly compared to the past due to improvements in aircraft performance, safety management systems, investigations, and training. Human factors account for the largest proportion of aviation accidents, accounting for 60-85%, followed by mechanical factors at 15-30%, and environmental and other factors at a very small proportion. More than half of all fatal accidents occur during the final approach and landing phases. Furthermore, the leading causes of fatal accidents over the past 20 years have been loss of control in flight (LOC-I), collision with terrain (CGIT), and lateral and longitudinal runway excursions (RE).

 Since 1991, 133 domestic aviation accidents have occurred, resulting in 579 deaths and 565 injuries. The causes of these accidents were pilot error (54%), other factors (24.1%), aircraft malfunction (12.6%), and adverse weather conditions (9.2%). Between 2002 and 2024, Gimpo Airport had 11 accidents (5 accidents, 6 incidents), Cheongju Airport had 1 incident, and Muan Airport had 5 incidents, which are relatively high among regional airports. Muan Airport had the highest bird strike rate, with 9.1 incidents per 10,000 flights, while Cheongju Airport had a relatively low rate of 3 incidents.

A review of Cheongju Airport's facilities reveals that its short runway length increases the risk of runway excursions. Furthermore, the runway's Category I operational rating presents a significant risk in adverse weather and low visibility conditions. Cheongju Airport is already overcapacitated, increasing the risk of ground accidents. As the airport facilities are jointly managed by the airport construction company and the military, an integrated command and control system is necessary in emergencies. Furthermore, Cheongju Airport also faces a persistent risk of bird strikes due to its surroundings (farmland, rivers, etc.) and geographical factors.

To enhance the safety of Cheongju Airport, North Chungcheong Province is promoting the construction of a 3,200-meter runway dedicated to civilian aircraft. This is essential for ensuring airport safety. Given the airport's already overcrowded nature, the plan proposes a separate operation plan for the newly constructed runway exclusively for international flights. The runway's operational classification will be upgraded from CAT-Ⅰ to CAT-Ⅱ, with additional safety facilities and the expansion of advanced security screening equipment. 

Plans to improve the airport's surroundings include expanding advanced bird detection equipment, utilizing AI drones, and implementing a bird habitat management system to prevent bird strikes. Plans to improve the airport's surroundings include improving the management of obstacles around the airport.