Incheon International Airport Damaged by Fog, As Was Predicted

As departures and arrivals have been obstructed due to fog in the Incheon International Airport, counter-measures need to be promptly taken. Such problem was already predicted even before the opening of Incheon International Airport.

According to the Korea Airport Authority yesterday, Asiana flight 0Z213 departed from San Francisco, which was supposed to arrive at 5:44 am, was redirected to Jeju Airport due to thick fog (100 meter) laid over the Incheon International Aiport for 7 hours since 4 am on Saturday. 21 planes had to turn to Jeju Airport or Kimhae Airport.

This was the 12th incident of operation snag due to fog since the opening of the Incheon International Airport on March 29. This was the second time this month since 24th.

This was also the first time in which more than 20 planes had to find alternate airports since the opening of the airport.

Departure of 20 planes, including Korean Airline flight KE621 bound for Manila which was scheduled to leave at 8:30 am, was also delayed for more than two hours.

An aeronautical metrological observatory official said, ``Dense fog has appeared since the temperature difference between day and night widened when the humidity is high during the late fall. Moreover, as there was no wind, fog seemed to have continued for longer time. The bigger problem is that dense fog may continue due to `sea fog`, which frequently occurs in the Incheon International Airport, combined by snow. Hence, instrument for take-off and landing system should be reinforced.``

jinhup@donga.com