Jeju Air Faces Criticism for Inadequate Aircraft Inspection Times
Jakarta – The South Korean airline, Jeju Air, is under fire for allegedly spending only 28 minutes on aircraft maintenance, leaving some experts unconvinced about the safety and thoroughness of these checks. This bare minimum duration, set by the Korean government, is considered insufficient by industry professionals.
A report by The Korea Times reveals that major airlines typically require more time for such tasks. Mechanics emphasize that 28 minutes isn’t enough to comprehensively inspect an aircraft. A former mechanic with over a decade of experience maintaining Boeing 737s for low-cost carriers (LCCs) agreed, stating, "It’s barely enough time for a cursory check, not a detailed inspection."
Jeju Air, part of the LCC fleet, has been suspected of skimming on maintenance to maximize profits. Just a day before a recent incident, one of its planes made four international stops without significant layovers:
- Muan to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
- Nagasaki, Japan
- Taipei, Taiwan
- Bangkok, Thailand
Industry standards advise aircraft should be allocated time for maintenance, cleaning, and refueling between flights. However, on 27 November, the same Jeju Air flight spent only 62 minutes at Muan International Airport before departing for Kinabalu, leaving approximately 28-30 minutes for checks.
Critics worry that Jeju Air, along with other LCCs, prioritizes operational efficiency over aircraft safety. The Boeing 737 involved in the 29 December incident was previously operated by Ryanair, another LCC known for its aggressive scheduling and minimal maintenance. concerns persist that this aircraft may have had a questionable history under Ryanair.
"Ryanair’s aggressive scheduling may have overused this aircraft," said an industry insider. A former head of maintenance at a major airline echoed these concerns, "A 28-minute inspection simply isn’t long enough to uncover hidden issues."
