In the future, airports in South Korea will maintain a dedicated team of at least two personnel to prevent bird strikes. Every airport will be equipped with thermal imaging cameras and bird detection radars will be introduced. Vehicle-mounted sonic devices will also be gradually implemented for medium and large birds.
On Thursday, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport of South Korea presented these plans during a special committee meeting at the National Assembly on the December 29 Jeju Air disaster. The ministry announced its strategies to enhance airport bird strike prevention measures.
The dedicated bird strike prevention team will continuously operate under the principle of minimum two-person staffing.” Airport operators will post a job opening this month to expand the workforce as a top priority and then prepare additional personnel by reviewing the standards for dedicated personnel.
Equipment upgrades will include at least one thermal imaging camera at every airport. Vehicle-mounted sonic devices for dealing with medium and large birds will also be introduced gradually. Currently, thermal imaging cameras are limited to four units at Incheon Airport and one at Gimpo, Gimhae, and Jeju airports.
Priority airports for bird detection radar installation to be confirmed by April, including Gadeok Island and Ulleung airports
Bird detection radar systems will be introduced at all airports to support the pre-detection of birds over long distances and improve aircraft responsiveness.
This month, the ministry will launch a specialized service and develop a Korean-specific bird detection radar model after discussing it with the relevant agencies’ task force (TF).
The list of priority airports for installation will be finalized by April. Design and procurement processes will follow, and full implementation is planned for next year. Rapid deployment strategies will be devised for other airports in coordination with relevant agencies.
The ministry will develop comprehensive manuals and conduct joint training to establish an effective inter-agency response system between personnel from radar-related organizations (pilots, air traffic controllers, and prevention personnel).
In addition, bird experts, airline representatives, and local government officials will be required to participate in the Bird Strike Prevention Committee. The ministry will also elevate the rank of attendees from regional aviation authorities and airport corporations and hold regular meetings twice a year.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport will mandate annual audits of bird strike prevention activities at each airport. It will also provide penal provisions for the new installation of unauthorized bird-attracting facilities and legal grounds for relocating existing facilities.
For new airport projects, bird strike advisory committees and regional consultative bodies will be established to analyze local bird populations and strengthen the effectiveness of prevention strategies at each project stage, such as planning, design, construction, opening, and operation.
New airport projects, including Gadeok Island Airport, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Integrated Airport, Jeju 2nd Airport, Saemangeum Airport, Baengnyeong Airport, Ulleung Airport, and Heuksan Airport, will incorporate bird detection radar installations at each development phase.
Joo Jong Wan, Deputy Minister for Civil Aviation at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, affirmed, “We are committed to implementing the previously announced airline safety management and airport facility improvement plans. Additionally, we’re developing innovative aviation safety measures to improve domestic aviation safety fundamentally.