Fear of flying grows after 2 air accidents in a month

Authorities inspect the wreckage of an aircraft ahead of a joint investigation into the Air Busan fire at Gimhae International Airport in Busan, Thursday. Newsis

By KTimes

• Published Jan 31, 2025 8:16 AM KST
• Updated Feb 2, 2025 11:08 AM KST

Two aviation accidents within a month — the deadly Jeju Air crash at Muan International Airport on Dec. 29, which claimed 179 lives, and a passenger plane fire during the Lunar New Year holiday — have heightened public concerns over flight safety.

At 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, an Air Busan BX391 flight bound for Hong Kong caught fire while preparing for takeoff at Gimhae International Airport in Busan. All 176 passengers were evacuated safely, with only seven sustaining minor injuries. However, had the fire broken out mid-air, it could have led to a major disaster.

And then on Jan. 29 (local time), a small passenger plane in the United States collided with a military helicopter and crashed into a nearby river, adding to growing concerns over air travel safety.

Amid back-to-back aviation accidents, some travelers are reconsidering their plans and even canceling trips.

A 59-year-old man surnamed Seo, who had planned a family trip next month to Sapporo, Japan, decided to cancel his flights, citing safety concerns.

“Airplane accidents seemed rare, but now they feel too frequent. There’s no guarantee that my family won’t be affected,” he said, adding that he was willing to forfeit a cancellation fee of over 1 million won ($700).

Both recent incidents in Korea involved low-cost carriers (LCCs), leading some travelers to switch to full-service airlines, which are perceived as safer.

A 30-year-old man surnamed Kim, who was planning a trip to Jeju Island, said, “I’m considering switching to a full-service airline that appears to have stricter maintenance and safety standards. I’m even looking into ferries as an alternative.”

Discussions in online travel communities for destinations like Hong Kong and Taiwan also reflect growing concerns.

Posts such as “After Jeju Air and now Air Busan, I’m too anxious to fly” and “I’ll pay extra to book a flight with a full-service carrier” have been trending.

The impact was already felt after the Jeju Air crash. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s aviation portal, the number of passengers on major LCCs — including Jeju Air, Jin Air, T’way Air, Eastar Jet, Air Busan and Air Seoul — dropped by approximately 8.7 percent a week after the Jeju Air crash. Jeju Air was hit the hardest, with a 26.8 percent decline in passengers.

Investigations take time, fueling public anxiety

The slow pace of aviation accident investigations is contributing further to public anxiety. More than a month after the Jeju Air crash, authorities have yet to determine the exact cause.

In the Air Busan fire, preliminary findings suggest that a passenger’s portable battery or something else in carry-on luggage may have ignited the blaze, but a definitive conclusion will take time.

“Aviation accident investigations must examine multiple factors, from passenger actions to aircraft manufacturers in countries like the U.S. and France, making the process inherently time-consuming,” said Gong Ha-seong, a professor of fire and disaster prevention at Woosuk University.

“With repeated incidents, the public naturally becomes more inclined to avoid flying altogether.”

While LCCs are refraining from making official statements, there is a palpable sense of unease within the industry.

An LCC official said, “Inflight fires are not an issue exclusive to LCCs. Emergency response protocols and training are conducted in accordance with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's standards, just like full-service airlines. It is premature to assume this is specifically an LCC problem.”

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.