Police officers and forensic team members conduct final search operations at the accident site at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province, Saturday. Yonhap

The deadly Dec. 29 Jeju Air crash at Muan International Airport has raised concerns about the safety management at many regional airports, according to experts, Sunday.

They warn that the construction of local airports without proper safety protocols, sufficient manpower, or adequate management could lead to similar accidents in the future. The efficiency, economic viability and safety measures of these airports must be thoroughly reassessed, even if it means delaying their opening, experts added.

The aviation industry is expressing concerns over the struggles of underutilized airports, where low demand has resulted in inadequate budgets and poor management. This financial instability has created a vicious cycle, leading to chronic shortages of equipment and staff, which in turn further undermines operational efficiency and safety.

At Muan Airport in South Jeolla Province, the site of the country's deadliest aviation disaster, which claimed 179 lives, safety deficiencies are prevalent. Over the past six years, the airport has reported 10 bird strikes but lacks essential equipment, such as radar and thermal imaging devices. Additionally, only four staff members are tasked with bird control.

Other regional airports face similar challenges.

Yangyang International Airport in Gangwon Province operates without a control radar, while Ulsan Airport has a runway spanning only two kilometers — the shortest among domestic airports.

Concrete navigation aid facilities, identified as a factor in the high death toll of the Jeju Air crash, are often installed at regional airports.

Airports in Muan, Yeosu, Gwangju and Pohang-Gyeongju are equipped with concrete structures, whereas major hubs like Incheon International Airport and Gimpo Airport use steel structures, which are considered safer and more resilient.

This disparity has prompted calls for the reassessment of ongoing projects to build new regional airports.

A view of Yangyang International Airport in Gangwon Province / Courtesy of Korea Airports Corporation

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, construction is underway on eight new regional airports — Gadeok Island Airport, Jeju's second airport, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Integrated New Airport, Saemangeum International Airport, Ulleung Airport, Heuksan Airport, Baengnyeong Airport and Seosan Airport.

Discussions on these projects began as early as 2011, with Ulleung Airport and Heuksan Airport slated to open in 2027.

Notably, only Gadeok Island Airport and Jeju's second airport are designed with longer runways —3,500 meters and 3,200 meters, respectively — while the remaining airports are expected to have shorter runways measuring just 1,200 meters.

Experts are calling for stricter evaluations of supply and demand before constructing new regional airports, emphasizing the need to ensure their economic viability and safety.

"The purpose of an airport is not just to improve transportation for local residents, it should also contribute to the national and local economies," said Kim Kwang-il, professor of Department of Aeronautical Science and Flight Operation at Silla University.

"Airports that fail to contribute to the national economy should not be built, and those primarily serving local residents with insufficient demand must undergo further review."

He also stressed the importance of involving not only the land ministry but also outside experts, including international specialists, in assessing airport safety.

Lee Gun-young, professor of the Department of Aeronautical Science and Flight Operation at Korea National University of Transportation also raised concerns about money-losing airports and their inadequate infrastructure.

"Budget constraints often result in shorter runways and limited safety measures, while local governments push for airports without properly assessing passenger demand," he said. "The operation of airports requires genuine expertise, which is lacking in the current system."