This year, North Korea’s balloon launnch have caused 20 temporary runway closures and delayed 172 flights at South Korean domestic airports.
Representative Kwon Young Jin of the People Power Party, a member of the National Assembly’s Land, Infrastructure, and Transport Committee, reported on Tuesday that, according to data from Incheon International Airport Corporation and Korea Airport Corporation, Incheon International Airport has temporarily halted runway operations 17 times on five different days since June 1 due to the presence of these balloons. Additionally, Gimpo Airport has experienced three operational suspensions each day since July 24.
As a consequence, Incheon International Airport Corporation reported delays affecting a total of 150 aircraft, with 47 awaiting takeoff, 13 returning, 15 diverting, and 75 in holding patterns. Meanwhile, Korea Airports Corporation recorded delays for 22 aircraft, including 7 awaiting takeoff, 2 returning, and 13 holding.
From June 1 to the present, debris from the trash balloons has been discovered on 21 occasions, with Incheon International Airport Corporation confirming 12 instances and Gimpo Airport reporting 9.
Moreover, Korea Airports Corporation acknowledged that it could not proactively track the falling debris, with staff at Gimpo Airport discovering the debris on three occasions only while inspecting the runway.
Rep. Kwon emphasized that “the trash-filled balloons pose a significant threat to aircraft operations, requiring immediate responses upon their descent. The delayed discovery of debris by airport staff is a serious concern.” He further suggested that “Korea Airports Corporation should establish a hotline system for real-time communication with the military and air traffic control. This would facilitate effective tracking and management of the balloons’ buoyancy, movement, and descent, thereby ensuring the safety of aircraft operations.”