Snow paralyzes Jeju International Airport: Flights canceled and thousands of passengers stranded
A severe weather system and heavy snowfall brought air traffic at Jeju International Airport in South Korea to a near standstill, resulting in flight cancellations and leaving thousands of passengers stranded in the airport terminals. This weather disruption comes at a critical time, throwing travel plans into disarray for thousands of domestic and international passengers.
Details of flight suspensions and hundreds of cancellations
The airport operator announced that all air operations were suspended until 11:00 AM on Sunday due to poor visibility, snow accumulation, and strong winds that made takeoffs and landings extremely hazardous. According to official statistics, approximately 11,000 passengers were directly affected by this sudden disruption.
Of the 461 scheduled flights, authorities were forced to cancel 163 (arrivals and departures), while five others were diverted to alternative airports because they could not land in Jeju. This situation led to overcrowding in waiting areas, as airlines attempted to find alternative solutions.
Weather conditions in Jeju Island and Mount Halla
Jeju Island is known for its stunning natural beauty and climate, which sometimes differs from mainland Korea, but winter storms can be harsh. Reports indicate that the area surrounding the famous Halla Mountain has experienced heavy snowfall, with accumulations reaching 21.5 centimeters in just the past 24 hours. This rapid snowfall has not only affected the airport but has also disrupted transportation across the island.
The importance of Jeju Airport and the impact of the stopover
The air route between Seoul and Jeju Island is one of the busiest in the world, given the island's status as a major tourist destination often called "Korea's Hawaii." Therefore, any disruption at this vital airport has far-reaching economic and logistical consequences, extending beyond passenger delays to impact the tourism and service sectors in the region.
Operational restoration efforts
Airport emergency crews quickly deployed snow removal vehicles and de-icing equipment to clear runways and taxiways, racing against time to reopen the airport. Although services gradually resumed after 11:00 AM, airport officials warned that flight operations would continue to experience disruptions and delays (a domino effect) even after the resumption of service, due to the ongoing snowstorm and the backlog of delayed flights.
