The aviation industry is reeling following the tragic crash of Jeju Air Flight 7C 2216, which took place on December 29, 2024, at Muan International Airport, resulting in the loss of 179 lives. The Boeing 737-800 aircraft was attempting to land when its landing gear failed to deploy, leading to the disaster. This incident has prompted urgent scrutiny of Jeju Air's operational standards and maintenance practices.
According to the transport ministry's data submitted to Rep. Lee Yeon-hee of the main opposition Democratic Party, Jeju Air recorded the largest number of flight delays due to maintenance reasons among domestic airlines during the first half of 2024. Out of 52,883 flights, 563 were delayed, resulting in a maintenance delay rate of 1.01%, significantly exceeding the overall industry average of 0.64%. Jeju Air's maintenance woes appear to be symptomatic of broader issues within the low-cost carrier sector.
The crash was described as the deadliest aviation accident on South Korean soil. Emergency crews worked tirelessly after the incident, recovering bodies and investigating the cause of the disaster. Initial analyses suggest several potential factors may have contributed to the crash, including bird strikes, aircraft defects, and management shortcomings related to maintenance.
Song Kyung-hoon, head of Jeju Air's management support division, extended condolences to the families affected by the disaster. He stated, "We discussed funeral expenses and condolence money with the bereaved families, adding support will be provided as soon as possible." The company has committed to reducing its operational capacity by 10-15% until March 2025, as part of its efforts to improve safety following extensive criticism.
The looming question is whether Jeju Air’s practices align with the regulatory standards established by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport. Over the past two years, maintenance delays surged dramatically from pre-pandemic levels, indicating possible systemic failures within the airline. The company announced plans to bolster its maintenance staff, aiming to increase personnel to about 560 by hiring additional maintenance workers.
Notably, the disturbed sense of safety among domestic passengers has surfaced post-incident, resulting in notable changes in travel patterns. According to industry reports, reservation cancellations soared, particularly concerning Jeju Air’s routes, which accounted for 43% of cancellations following the crash. Despite this, some reports indicate other low-cost carriers like Jin Air and T'way have not observed widespread declines, with travelers shifting their bookings from Jeju Air to these airlines.
Meanwhile, Jeju Air is under investigation by authorities, leading to the travel bans for two senior officials, including CEO Kim Yi-bae, as part of the inquiry focusing on the airline's practices leading up to the crash. Aviation experts and industry insiders asserted there is no widespread 'LCC phobia' affecting consumer behavior, attributing ticket reservation shifts to the recent crash rather than systemic aversion to low-cost carriers.
Considering the maintenance challenges faced by Jeju Air, similar issues plaguing the broader LCC industry have come to light. Data indicates LCCs are increasingly outsourcing heavy maintenance to overseas companies and noteworthy increases have been recorded concerning overseas maintenance costs — now rising 63.6% from 2019 to 2023.
To address public safety concerns, T'way Airlines and other LCCs have upgraded their maintenance practices. T'way Airlines, for example, has ensured maintenance standards exceed the suggested levels and is conducting thorough inspections of all aircraft. Jin Air has weighted its maintenance heavily under the expertise of its parent company, Korean Air, which positions it favorably against competitors amid growing scrutiny.
The disaster has affected not only Jeju Air but also the entire travel industry, leading major tour operators to alter their strategies significantly. Hana Tour and Modu Tour have enacted policies waiving cancellation fees for Jeju Air-related bookings to mitigate financial repercussions for customers affected by the crash. Despite cold feet from travelers, reports indicate the overall cancellation rate for other tour products has stabilized post-disaster as new year travel campaigns resumed.
While investigations continue, the aviation community calls for intense scrutiny of maintenance practices and regulatory oversight to prevent potential future tragedies. With its reputation on the line, Jeju Air faces the imperative of restoring public confidence and ensuring operational safety on its fleet.
Going forward, scrutiny of Jeju Air’s operations will also serve as a wake-up call to other LCCs to reassess their safety measures and maintenance protocols. Intensive regulatory measures and comprehensive industry inspections could reshape the way these airlines operate within the South Korean aviation market.