Gadeok Island Airport

In 1992, the city of Busan released an urban plan which discussed the need for a new airport in the region.{{cite news |last=권 |first=아현 |date=2021-03-04 |title=What Gadeokdo New Airport Will Look Like in Korea's Southeast Region? |url=https://herald.cauon.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=20286 |work=The Chung-ang Herald |language=en |access-date=2025-01-05 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250105173444/https://herald.cauon.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=20286 |archive-date=2025-01-05}} In 2002, Air China Flight 129 crashed into Mount Dotdae near Gimhae International Airport in Busan, which accelerated discussion about a new airport located away from mountainous areas.{{cite news |date=2016-06-22 |last=Kim |first=Bo-eun |title=Gimhae airport plan faces turbulence |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/113_207619.html |work=The Korea Times|language=en |access-date=2025-01-01 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250101115607/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/113_207619.html |archive-date=2025-01-01}}

The planning of a new airport began during the Roh Moo-hyun administration of 2003–2008 to aid in dispersing increasing air traffic from the Gimhae International Airport, which remains the only international airport in the southern region of South Korea.{{cite news |last=Lee |first=Hae-rin |date=2023-08-22 |title=South Gyeongsang Province seeks to name new airport after heroic admiral |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/culture/2024/02/135_357597.html |work=The Korea Times |language=en |access-date=2024-02-25 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225230407/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/culture/2024/02/135_357597.html |archive-date=2024-02-25}}

By 2012, the government under Lee Myung-bak abandoned plans to pursue a new airport in the region.{{cite news |last=Kim |first=Jong-cheol |date=2012-02-21 |title=Debate on airport in southeast area coming up again |url=https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/520058.html |work=The Hankyoreh |language=en |access-date=2024-02-25 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226020729/https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/520058.html |archive-date=2024-02-26}} This decision was challenged by then presidential canditate, Park Geun-hye, who stated a new airport was essential. During the Park Geun-hye administration, efforts were instead redirected to expansion of the Gimhae International Airport.

In 2014, a government commissioned report indicated that a new airport in the Yeongnam region would be required as flights continued to increase. In 2013, Gimhae International Airport attracted 9.6 million visitors and was projected to be saturated by 2023.{{cite news |last1=Park |first1=Dong-min |last2=Chang |first2=Won-joo |date=2014-08-25 |title=Gov't report says new airport needed in Yeongnam |url=https://pulsenews.co.kr/view.php?year=2014&no=1132648 |work=Pulse News |language=en |access-date=2024-02-25 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226020205/https://pulsenews.co.kr/view.php?year=2014&no=1132648 |archive-date=2024-02-26}} A debate began amongst cities such as Busan and Daegu about the location of a new airport.

During the 2017 South Korean presidential election, Presidential candidate Moon Jae-in promised to build a new airport at Gadeokdo.

During the 2021 mayoral by-election in Busan, both the ruling Democratic Party of Korea and opposition People Power party agreed on fast-tracking airport development.

In April 2022, President Moon Jae-in stressed the importance of speeding up the development of the new international airport and plans for a new airport were announced.{{cite news |last=Chang |first=Dong-woo |date=2023-11-30 |title=Gov't to launch public corporation for airport development on Busan's Gadeok Island |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231130002400320 |work=Yonhap News Agency |language=en |access-date=2024-02-25 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211184619/https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231130002400320 |archive-date=2023-12-11}} The plans included construction of South Korea's first floating airport which would be located both on the land and sea off the island of Gadeok with a proposed opening in 2035.{{cite news |last=Oh |first=Seok-min |date=2022-04-26 |title=S. Korea seeks to build new Busan airport as country's first 'floating airport' |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20220426003951320 |work= |location=Yonhap News Agency |language=en |access-date=2024-02-25 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426071305/https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20220426003951320 |archive-date=2022-04-26}}{{cite news |last=Lee |first=Ho-Jeong |date=2023-03-14 |title=Completion of new Busan airport fast-tracked to 2029 |url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2023/03/14/business/economy/Gadeok-International-Airport-Busan-World-Expo-2030/20230314181803163.html |work=Korea JoongAng Daily |language=en |access-date=2024-02-25 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206050903/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2023/03/14/business/economy/Gadeok-International-Airport-Busan-World-Expo-2030/20230314181803163.html |archive-date=2024-02-06}} Construction is estimated to be over 13.7 trillion won (US$10.64 billion).{{cite news |last=Ko |first=Dong-hwan |date=2024-02-13 |title=New Gadeok airport to open in 2029, generate $22 bil. in economic effects |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/tech/2024/02/129_368719.html |work=The Korea Times |language=en |access-date=2024-02-25 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225224308/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/tech/2024/02/129_368719.html |archive-date=2024-02-25}}

Opening of the first runway was later changed to 2029. The fast-tracking aimed to assist Busan in winning its bid for the 2030 World Expo (later lost to Riyadh).{{cite news |author= |date=2024-01-13 |title=Busan Unveils Ambitious Plans for Gadeok New Airport as a Global Hub |url=https://www.hapskorea.com/busan-unveils-ambitious-plans-for-gadeok-new-airport-as-a-global-hub/ |work=Haps Magazine Korea |language=en |access-date=2024-02-25 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226003749/https://www.hapskorea.com/busan-unveils-ambitious-plans-for-gadeok-new-airport-as-a-global-hub/ |archive-date=2024-02-26}}{{cite news |author= |date=2023-03-14 |title=Gov't Aims to Open Gadeok Airport by 2029 in Time for World Expo |url=https://world.kbs.co.kr/service/news_view.htm?lang=e&Seq_Code=176441 |work=KBS World |language=en |access-date=2024-02-25 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330141958/https://world.kbs.co.kr/service/news_view.htm?lang=e&Seq_Code=176441 |archive-date=2023-03-30}} Opening of the second runway is scheduled for 2031.

The airport will include a {{convert|3500|metre|adj=on}} runway, designed to accommodate larger freighter models including the Boeing 747-400F. The Government of Korea and Government of Gyeongsangnam-do would extend the {{convert|3500|metre|adj=on}} runway to {{convert|3800|metre|adj=on}} and make new runways with {{convert|3800|metre|adj=on}}

. The airport will be designed with a category II instrument landing system, with plans to upgrade to a category III.{{cite news |last1=김 |first1=덕준 |last2=김 |first2=경희 |date=2023-08-24 |title=가덕신공항에 연안여객터미널·UAM 이착륙장 만든다(종합) |url=https://www.busan.com/view/busan/view.php?code=2023082418321556960 |work=Busan Ilbo |language=ko |access-date=2024-02-27 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230825225521/https://www.busan.com/view/busan/view.php?code=2023082418321556960 |archive-date=2023-08-25}}

It will have parking lots for 10,718 cars and an airport apron to hold 58 aircraft and would expand its capacity to hold 209 aircraft. It will have two taxiways, six rapid-exit taxiways, and four right-angle taxiways.{{cite web |url=https://www.busan.go.kr/newairport/aboutnewairport |title=가덕도신공항이란? |website=가덕도 신공항 |language=ko |access-date=2024-03-14 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240310152103/https://www.busan.go.kr/newairport/aboutnewairport |archive-date=2024-03-10}}

The airport will host a ferry terminal to connect passengers to Ulsan, Haeundae, and Yeosu. An additional 16.53 km of railway may also be built, which could be accessible via the Bujeon and Gyeongbu railway lines. The airport may also use the upcoming EMU-320 passenger train. An additional 9.8 km of road will also be constructed to connect the airport to the existing expressway.

The name of the airport has yet to be officially determined. It has been proposed that the airport be named the "Yi Sun-sin International Airport". The name refers to Yi Sun-sin, a 16th-century Korean admiral and military general. If adopted, it would be the first airport in South Korea named after a historic figure.

{{Reflist}}

{{Portal bar|South Korea|Aviation}}

{{Airports in South Korea}}

Category:21st-century architecture in South Korea

Category:Airports in South Korea

Category:Proposed airports

Category:Proposed transport infrastructure in South Korea

Category:Transport in Busan

Category:Gangseo District, Busan