
South Korea’s government announced on Monday that the shutdown of Muan International Airport will be extended by one week, until January 14, to allow for the ongoing investigation into the crash of a Jeju Air (089590.KS) jet, which claimed the lives of 179 passengers. The airport had originally been scheduled to reopen on Tuesday following the December 29 crash.
A joint investigation team is intensifying its efforts to uncover the cause of South Korea’s deadliest aviation accident. Two Korean investigators are set to travel to the United States on Monday, bringing the flight data recorders for analysis in collaboration with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board. These recorders, along with cockpit voice recorders, are crucial black boxes that contain key data about the crash.
Over the weekend, investigators completed the transcript of the cockpit voice recorder recovered from the wreckage of the Jeju Air Boeing 737-800. However, it remains unclear whether the transcript will be made public.
Additionally, investigators retrieved two of the aircraft’s engines, with a representative from engine manufacturer GE joining the probe. The transport ministry has extended its inspections of all Boeing 737-800 planes operated by Jeju Air and five other South Korean airlines, including a review of their maintenance records, until January 10.
