A severe snowstorm struck large parts of South Korea, causing widespread disruption and paralyzing air travel, particularly on the popular tourist island of Jeju. Authorities at Jeju International Airport announced the cancellation of 163 out of 461 scheduled flights, and the diversion of five others to alternative airports, due to heavy snowfall and strong winds that made takeoffs and landings hazardous.
This sudden disruption left thousands of passengers stranded in airport terminals, awaiting updates on flight resumption. The airport operator stated that flight operations would remain significantly impacted until weather conditions improved, with emergency teams working around the clock to clear snow from runways and taxiways to ensure the safety of aircraft and passengers when operations resume.
Climate context and background
South Korea is periodically hit by severe cold waves and snowstorms during the winter, primarily due to the influence of cold, dry air masses originating from Siberia. As these air masses pass over the warmer Yellow Sea, they absorb moisture and cause heavy snowfall along the country's western and southern coasts, including Jeju Island. Mountainous areas on the island, near Mount Halla, recorded up to 21.5 centimeters of snowfall in just 24 hours, highlighting the intensity of the current storm.
Importance and expected effects
Jeju Island is one of the most important tourist destinations in South Korea and Asia, and its economy is heavily reliant on tourism. Therefore, any disruption to air traffic not only affects travelers but also impacts the hotel, restaurant, and local transportation sectors, resulting in significant economic losses. Regionally and internationally, the air route between Seoul and Jeju is one of the busiest in the world. Thus, any disruption at Jeju International Airport creates a ripple effect, leading to delays and cancellations of connecting flights at other airports both within and outside Korea, disrupting the travel schedules of thousands of passengers worldwide and impacting air cargo traffic.
