South Korea is set to introduce drones at its airports starting in the first half of next year to mitigate the risk of bird strikes, marking a significant step in the country’s aviation safety reforms following its deadliest air disaster.
The government has also announced plans to renovate key infrastructure at six airports by year-end, address pilot fatigue issues through new policies, and boost the number of aviation safety inspectors.
On December 29, Jeju Air Flight 2216 pilots issued a distress call reporting a bird strike while descending toward Muan International Airport in South Korea’s southwest region. After an abrupt maneuver, the aircraft belly-landed, slid along the runway, and collided with a concrete barrier, resulting in a fiery crash that claimed 179 of the 181 people on board.
Experts in aviation safety have noted that the collision with a concrete localizer—a navigational antenna array used during landings—likely worsened the severity of the crash. The government plans to replace these rigid structures with breakaway alternatives designed to minimize impact in such incidents.
Although the investigation has yet to determine the exact cause of the crash or the extent to which the bird strike contributed, authorities confirmed that bird feathers and blood were discovered in both engines. Reports indicate that officials had been alerted for years about the potential dangers posed by bird activity near Muan Airport.
The transport ministry revealed it will deploy drones at airports starting in early 2026 to actively deter birds. By the end of that year, the ministry aims to develop advanced drones capable of identifying bird species and releasing repellents. This technology will be progressively introduced at all national airports beginning in 2028. Globally, drones are increasingly employed at airports to safely disperse bird flocks from aircraft flight paths.
