In the aviation industry, a troubling trend has been uncovered in South Korea. Pilotcenter.net News reports that more than one in four flights operated by South Korean airlines faced delays in departures or arrivals in 2024, according to official government data released on February 10, 2025. This revelation sheds light on the challenges plaguing the country's airline industry.

Among the 10 domestic airlines analyzed, the average delay rate for both domestic and international flights reached 25.7% in 2024. Of the 678,489 flights flown by South Korean airlines that year, 174,078 experienced delays, surpassing the threshold of 15 minutes past the scheduled time. The Korean Transport Ministry attributed the high delay rate to factors such as increased international flights causing airport congestion, frequent turbulence, and airspace restrictions on international routes.

Delving deeper into the data, it was found that Air Seoul, Eastar Jet, and Jin Air had the highest delay rates on international routes, while T’way Air led in domestic services within Korea. These figures come on the heels of recent incidents that have shaken the industry, including a fatal crash involving a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 and a fire incident with an Air Busan Airbus A321.

Jeju Air, the carrier involved in the tragic crash, was also found to have the largest number of flight delays among domestic airlines due to maintenance issues in the first half of 2024. This has raised concerns about the overall standards within South Korea's aviation sector as airlines grapple with surging demand and infrastructure challenges.

While the industry in South Korea has experienced rapid growth post-COVID-19, the recent punctuality data and incidents highlight the pressing need for airlines and aviation authorities to address these issues promptly. Ensuring the safety and efficiency of air travel remains paramount, and stakeholders will be working towards restoring trust and reliability within the aviation sector.