The civilian airport had originally been scheduled to move upon completion of the second phase of the Honam high-speed railway, now slated for 2031, as the new rail link was expected to improve access to Muan Airport for passengers from Gwangju.
That timetable has become less relevant, however, because of delays in the railway project and a new government plan to relocate military functions from Gwangju in stages.
The military air base site has emerged as a candidate location for a national semiconductor industrial complex that could host production facilities operated by Samsung Electronics and SK hynix.
To secure the land more quickly, the government is considering moving the fighter wing, education and training functions to several locations rather than waiting for the entire military base to be transferred at once.
Gwangju’s civilian airport currently relies on the military base’s runway, air traffic control and safety facilities. It would therefore be unable to continue operating at its current location once military operations are reduced or suspended.
The government is also seeking to reopen Muan International Airport without excessive delay while continuing recovery work and the investigation related to the earlier accident.
Once Muan Airport resumes normal operations and the military relocation plan is finalized, domestic flights from Gwangju could be transferred before the new rail connection opens.
Muan Airport has remained closed to regular passenger flights since the Dec. 29, 2024 Jeju Air crash, which killed 179 of the 181 people aboard. The aircraft made a belly landing, overran the runway and struck a concrete structure near the runway’s end, and the cause remains under investigation as authorities carry out recovery work and safety improvements ahead of a possible reopening.
Regional authorities would then need to improve ground transportation to Muan Airport, including additional airport buses and new direct routes, to reduce inconvenience for passengers from Gwangju.
“If military functions are relocated, the civilian airport will have no choice but to move to Muan at the same time,” a regional official said. “Although no detailed military relocation schedule has been announced, the civilian airport transfer is expected to happen earlier than originally planned.”
AJP Takeaways
- Gwangju Airport's civilian flights may move to Muan International Airport earlier than planned, as Seoul moves to secure the Gwangju military air base for a semiconductor cluster.
- The relocation was originally tied to the Honam high-speed railway's second phase, now delayed to 2031.
- The Gwangju air base site is a candidate for a national semiconductor complex potentially hosting Samsung Electronics and SK hynix.
- Muan International Airport has been closed to passenger flights since the Jeju Air crash on December 29, 2024, which killed 179 of 181 aboard.
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