South Korean aviation safety investment to peak in 2025 before projected decline

South Korea's aviation safety investment is projected to peak this year at 17.4 trillion won before declining in 2026. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport reported that while total industry investment is rising, a decrease is expected next year due to the adjustment of redundant investments following major airline mergers, such as the integration of Korean Air and Asiana Airlines.

Incheon International Airport Corporation faces a specific downward trend in safety investment. After reaching a peak of 244.5 billion won last year, investments are expected to drop to 166.1 billion won this year and further to 137.8 billion won next year. This decline follows the completion of the airport's Phase 4 construction projects.

Industry observers have raised concerns that this reduction in spending might signal the exclusion of the proposed Phase 5 expansion—which includes a third passenger terminal and a fifth runway—from the upcoming 7th Airport Development Comprehensive Plan. While passenger demand continues to reach record highs, the reduction in infrastructure investment contrasts with the urgent need for capacity expansion to accommodate growing traffic.