Busan City Hall

Construction Objectives

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Progress

  • Apr. 15, 2002
    Chinese commercial aircraft crashes into Dotdaesan Mountain, Gimhae (129 dead, 37 injured)
  • Dec. 2006
    President Roh Moo-hyun orders official assessment for a new airport in the southern region
  • Mar. 30, 2011
    Announcement of cancellation of Southeast Region New Airport, President Lee Myung-bak’s presidential election pledge
  • Jun. 2016
    Gimhae New Airport decided to be Yeongnam Region New Airport, President Park Geun-hye’s presidential election pledge
    *Daegu‧Gyeongbuk regions release statement of refusal to accept the decision (July 1, 2016), joint relocation of K-2 and Daegu airports decided (Jul. 11, 2016)
  • May 2017
    President Moon Jae-in promotes construction of Southeast Region Gateway Airport as his presidential election pledge
    *Construction of 「Southeast Region Gateway Airport」 and airport multi-functional city: necessity to construct Southeast Region Airport as a gateway airport to meet rapidly increasing air transport demand and serve as an alternate airport for emergency diversions from Incheon Airport.
  • Sep. 9, 2018
    Mayors and Governors of BU-UL-GYEONG jointly agree on call for the construction of a gateway airport in Southeastern Region
  • Feb. 13, 2019
    President Moon Jae-in suggests reassessment of new airport
  • Jun. 20, 2019
    Transfer of Gimhae New Airport issue to the Prime Minister's Office agreed upon (BU-UL-GYEONG local government heads and Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport)
  • Dec. 2019~
    Gimhae New Airport Verification Committee under the Prime Minister’s Office launched to carry out project verification.
    *total of 21 members (1 Chairman and 20 members) ▸5 members each for safety, environment, noise and facility operation demand
  • Nov. 17, 2020
    Verification results announced ▸ Fundamental review of Gimhae New Airport construction required (the project was virtually annulled)
  • Nov. 20/26, 2020
    Ruling and opposition parties propose Special Act on Construction of Gadeokdo New Airport.
  • Feb. 26, 2021
    Special Act on Construction of Gadeokdo New Airport passes National Assembly.
  • Mar. 16, 2021
    Special Act on Construction of Gadeokdo New Airport promulgated. [Enforced Sept. 17, 2021]
  • May 2021 Service
    Contract for Pre-Feasibility Study (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport)

Necessity

  • To remedy polarization of the capital area and complement Incheon International Airport in case of emergency
  • To contribute to the successful hosting of the 2030 Busan World Expo and local economic revitalization of Busan as an international tourist city
  • To rise as a Northeast Asian logistics hub with the completion of the Tri-port system (airport, railroad and port integration)
  • To establish a Southeast Region Mega City as one of the two major axis of balanced national development, alongside the capital area

Construction Objectives

  • 24-hour airport with minimal noise pollution
  • Safe airport with neither obstacles nor limitations on mid and long-distance flights
  • Minimize environmental damage
  • Outstanding accessibility and expandability in line with future needs
  • Capable of resolving the following problems of Gimhae New Airport (plan):
    1. ① Short runways and load limitations due to mountainous terrain with difficulty facilitating long distance flights
    2. ② Not allowed 24-hour operations due to curfew time (11pm – 6 am)
    3. ③ Unable to handle 38 million passengers annually due to the operational nature of the V-shaped runway.
    4. ④ Difficulty securing landing precision safety and missed approaches with surface obstacles having been maintained
    5. ⑤ Once full capacity is reached (runways, taxiways, etc.) in the future, additional expansion is impossible.
    6. ⑥ Noise-stricken areas in Busan and Gimhae will expand with direct impact on the habitats of migratory birds.
    7. ⑦ Conflicts with development plans for surrounding areas, such as Eco Delta City and R&D Special Zone
Gadeokdo New Airport Website (Korean)
Apr. 2022
  • Exemption from pre-feasibility study
2022
  • Examination of project plan adequacy
  • Basic plan commenced (conducted in parallel)
2023
  • Basic plan completed
  • Turn Key+Fast Track (basic and working design)
2024
  • Turn Key+Fast Track (basic and working design)
  • Construction of prioritized portions begins
before EXPO 2030
  • Completion and opening of Gadeokdo New Airport