The location for the island’s second airport has been selected, but discussions on how to operate it are still underway. The governor says the new facility needs to be run around the clock and he has therefore proposed the creation of a commercial zone near the airport, not a residential area. Mike Laidman has more.
Jeju has a second airport planned for (온평리) Onpyeong-ri, in (성산읍)Seongsan.

A total of 4.1 trillion won in national funding will be spent on construction, which is scheduled for completion between 2023 and 2025.

But the bigger question is just how will this new airport be run?

The province is developing a plan to run the new facility 24 hours a day in order to accommodate increasing numbers of passengers.

[slug]
Provincial officials want second airport to run 24/7

In the recent feasibility study done on the Jeju airport infrastructure, 24-hour operation was not included among the requirements.

[INTERVIEW]
Won Heeryong / Governor
Basically, we believe that the island needs a 24-hour airport. We don’t need it right now, but we will in the mid to long term. That’s why we’re planning for it now.
<인터뷰:원희룡 제주특별자치도지사>
"기본적으로 24시간 공항이 필요하다고 보고 있습니다. 지금 당장 필요한 것이냐 그것은 아닙니다. 중장기적으로 필요하기 때문에 저희는 그 부분을 확보하기 위해서 계획을 세울 것이고..."

The island is planning to run the airport around the clock provided that there are no nearby residential areas.

[slug]
24-hour operations depend on lack of nearby residential areas

The governor therefore suggested designating the areas around the second airport as commercial districts, not residential zones.

[slug]
‘Neighboring areas should be designated as commercial zones’

The province is planning to attract private capital to build a commercial complex and encourage residents in the area to set up their businesses there.

This plan fits in with the governor’s AirCity plan - an airport equipped with shopping and recreational facilities.

[INTERVIEW]
Won Heeryong / Governor
Residents would never agree to 24-hour service, so the airport and surrounding areas would have to be commercial zones. That’s our plan to deal with the aircraft noise.
<인터뷰:원희룡 지사>
"24시간 공항 운항을 위해서 소음 피해 대책을 세우려면 주민들이 시끄러운데 (24시간 운항을) 동의하시긴 어렵다고 보고요. 그 부분이 상업지역으로 가야 공항 도시구역으로 가면 전혀 문제가 없거든요."

[camera]
Hyeon Gwang-hoon

Jeju says that it will continue to work with residents in the area to find ways of compensating them for the disadvantages the airport will bring.

[REPORTER]
Mike Laidman

This is in addition to the national compensation they will receive for aircraft noise and land expropriation.

Mike Laidman, KCTV