Korean Air headquarters. (Photo=Yonhap News)

[Alpha Biz= Reporter Kim Jisun] A Korean Air passenger plane departing from Incheon International Airport to Taichung, Taiwan, made an emergency return due to a malfunction in the pressurization system (a function that regulates the internal pressure of the aircraft). The departure of the flight was delayed by 19 hours, and 15 people were transported to the hospital, causing a commotion.

According to Korean Air, around 4:45 PM on the 22nd, Korean Air flight KE189 (B737-8) carrying 125 passengers departed from Incheon Airport to Taichung Airport in Taiwan but returned due to a mechanical defect.

About 50 minutes after takeoff, the aircraft detected a pressurization system fault while flying over Jeju Island and decided to return. According to FlightRadar24, a civilian flight tracking company, the aircraft, which was at an altitude of 30,000 feet (9,144 meters) at the time, made a rapid descent to 10,000 feet.

During this process, 18 passengers reported discomfort. A representative from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport stated, "It was identified that two people had nosebleeds, one person complained of discomfort due to low blood pressure, and 15 people complained of eardrum pain." Korean Air confirmed the wishes of the passengers and transported 15 of them to the hospital. Additionally, the airline provided accommodation at a hotel near the airport for all passengers, but some canceled their travel plans and returned home. While there were about 120 passengers on the 22nd, the number of passengers on the 23rd was recorded at 87.

As a result, the departure time of the flight was delayed by 19 hours. Korean Air deployed a replacement aircraft and resumed the flight at 10:33 AM on the 23rd. It was also explained that the operation restrictions of Taichung Airport, which are from 11 PM to 7 AM local time, contributed to the delay.

Korean Air stated, "We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused to the passengers of the flight and are making efforts to minimize inconvenience by providing accommodation and medical expenses." The airline also announced that it is investigating the exact cause of the return and will proceed with maintenance after inspecting the aircraft. Korean Air plans to cover the unused local accommodation costs for customers due to the flight cancellation.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport has also launched an investigation into the incident.

 

 

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