The South Korean government has ordered all its airports to install bird detection cameras and radars in response to the country’s worst-ever aviation disaster in December.
The new plans were announced on Thursday by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport as part of a nationwide special safety inspection of airports – along with a comprehensive survey of facilities that particularly attract birds.
The Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 was flying from Thailand to Muan in South Korea’s southwest on December 29, carrying 181 passengers and crew, when it belly-landed at Muan airport and exploded in a fireball after slamming into a concrete barrier.
The crash left 179 people dead and only two survivors.
“All airports will be equipped with at least one thermal imaging camera,” said the Ministry of Land, adding it aims to begin the rollout next year.
Mobile sonic devices will also be implemented mainly to deal with “medium- and large-sized birds”.
“Bird detection radars will be installed at all airports to enhance early detection of distant birds and improve response capabilities for aircraft,” the ministry added.
The radar will detect the size of the bird and its movement path, and this information will be relayed to air traffic controllers who, in turn, will communicate with the pilot.