South Korea experienced a complete standstill in air traffic today in the southern part of the country, specifically on the popular tourist island of Jeju, after the region was hit by a powerful snowstorm that disrupted air traffic and left thousands of passengers stranded.
Jeju International Airport, the island's main gateway and one of the busiest airports in the country, announced the cancellation of 163 flights today due to bad weather and continued heavy snowfall, which made takeoffs and landings risky.
Details of flight disruptions
The airport operator stated in an official statement that the ongoing snowstorm resulted in the cancellation of 163 out of 461 scheduled flights for the day. In addition to cancellations, five other flights bound for the airport were diverted after being unable to land safely due to poor visibility and snow accumulation on the runways.
This widespread disruption to schedules has left thousands of travelers stranded inside airport terminals, amid attempts by airlines to reschedule flights or provide alternatives, but the ongoing storm is currently hindering a return to normal operations.
Heavy snowfall on Mount Halla
In related weather news, the island's mountainous regions have recorded high snowfall. Reports indicate that the area surrounding Mount Hallasan, South Korea's highest peak located on Jeju Island, received 21.5 centimeters of snow in the past 24 hours alone. This high snowfall rate suggests the severity of the low-pressure system affecting the region.
Expectations that the crisis will continue and impact tourism
Airport officials anticipated that flight operations would remain disrupted or significantly delayed even after services partially resumed, due to the additional time required to de-icer aircraft and clear runways to ensure passenger safety. Jeju Island is a major tourist destination, meaning this disruption directly impacts the local tourism sector and travel between the island and the Korean mainland.
This storm is part of a wave of bad weather that could affect other areas in East Asia during the current winter season, which calls for travelers to check the status of their flights periodically before heading to airports to avoid long waits.
