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Pohang Airport

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Parent: Airports in South Korea Hop 5
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Pohang Airport
NamePohang Airport
IataKPO
IcaoRKTH
TypePublic / Military
OwnerMinistry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport
OperatorKorea Airports Corporation
City-servedPohang
LocationBuk-gu, Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea
Elevation-f36
Elevation-m11
R1-number01/19
R1-length-m2,600
R1-surfaceAsphalt concrete

Pohang Airport is a mixed-use civil and military aerodrome serving the city of Pohang in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. The field supports scheduled domestic air services, general aviation, and operations by the Republic of Korea Air Force. Located near the Pohang Iron and Steel Company industrial zone, the airport links the region to hubs such as Seoul Gimpo International Airport and Incheon International Airport. Its operations intersect regional transport networks including Korea National Route 7 and the Gyeongbu Expressway corridor.

Overview

Pohang Airport occupies a coastal site adjacent to the Sea of Japan (East Sea) and serves the municipal districts of Buk District, Pohang and Nam District, Pohang. The facility is classified under South Korea's civil aviation framework administered by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and operated by the Korea Airports Corporation. The airport's runway and apron accommodate narrow-body airliners such as the Airbus A320 family, Boeing 737 series, and regional turboprops like the ATR 72 and Bombardier Dash 8. Passenger throughput reflects the industrial and tourism profile tied to destinations including Gyeongju, Daegu, and the Yeongnam economic region.

History

Pohang's airfield origins date to the mid-20th century amid post-war reconstruction involving agencies like the United States Forces Korea and the United Nations Command. Throughout the Cold War era the site hosted military squadrons and logistics units of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces while civil services expanded under national initiatives such as infrastructure drives by the Park Chung-hee administration. In later decades, modernization projects aligned with South Korea's hosting of events like the 1988 Summer Olympics and the 2002 FIFA World Cup prompted upgrades to runways and terminal facilities. Partnerships with industrial conglomerates including POSCO influenced cargo and charter traffic, and safety oversight evolved through agencies such as the Korea Transport Institute and the Korea Airports Corporation.

Facilities and infrastructure

The airport complex includes a single asphalt concrete runway designated 01/19, a passenger terminal with domestic gates, apron parking, aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) services certified to national aerodrome categories, and support hangars used by both civil operators and the Air Force Aviation & Supply Command. Navigational aids encompass instrument landing systems (ILS), VHF omnidirectional range (VOR), and radar services coordinated with the Korea Air Traffic Control Center. Ground handling providers serve carriers such as Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, and low-cost carriers like Jeju Air and T'way Air. Ancillary facilities include cargo warehouses servicing freight to industrial clients, fueling farms compatible with Jet A-1, and meteorological installations linked to the Korea Meteorological Administration.

Airlines and destinations

Scheduled services at the airport have historically connected to metropolitan airports including Gimpo International Airport (domestic) and via feed to Incheon International Airport for international connections. Carriers operating or having operated scheduled flights include Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Jin Air, Jeju Air, T'way Air, and regional operators such as Air Busan. Destinations have varied with market demand and seasonality, encompassing routes to Seoul, Busan, and regional centers such as Daegu and Ulsan. Charter and seasonal services link to tourism nodes including Jeju and festival events in Gyeongju.

Ground transportation

Surface access integrates with regional highways including National Route 7 and the Donghae Expressway, while local bus services connect the terminal to Pohang Station on national rail networks and to municipal hubs such as Pohang Wharf and downtown Pohang. Shuttle services and taxis provide links to industrial complexes like POSCO Tower and to accommodations in districts such as Buk District, Pohang. Multi-modal connectivity to high-speed rail at Gyeongju Station and to intercity bus terminals supports passenger transfer options across the Yeongnam region.

Incidents and accidents

The airport's safety record includes occurrences typical of mixed civil-military airfields. Notable events have involved runway excursions, bird-strike reports, and technical diversions affecting carriers such as Asiana Airlines and Korean Air, prompting investigations by the Korea Aviation Safety Technology Institute and policy adjustments by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Joint civil-military emergency responses have engaged the Republic of Korea Air Force and local emergency services in exercises designed to meet standards promoted by the International Civil Aviation Organization.

Category:Airports in South Korea Category:Buildings and structures in North Gyeongsang Province Category:Transport in Pohang