Devastating crash sparks nationwide travel anxiety

In a tragic incident on Sunday at Muan, a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 carrying 181 passengers from Thailand to South Korea crashed after making a mayday call, belly-landing, and hitting a barrier before bursting into flames. The crash claimed 179 lives, with only two flight attendants surviving after being pulled from the wreckage.

Mass cancellations plague Jeju Air

In the aftermath of the crash, Jeju Air revealed it is facing an unprecedented wave of cancellations. From Sunday midnight to 1:00 PM Monday (0400 GMT), approximately 68,000 flight tickets were canceled. The cancellations included 33,000 domestic flights and 34,000 international routes, according to the carrier.

Despite the cancellations, Jeju Air reported a steady inflow of new bookings. “Given the current situation, the cancellation rate is slightly higher than usual. However, the inflow of new bookings remains steady,” said Song Kyung-hoon, head of the management support office at Jeju Air, during a news conference.

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Travelers express growing safety concerns

Major travel agencies across South Korea are also reporting mass cancellations linked to heightened travel anxiety.

“We received at least 400 cancellations within the first hour of opening today,” said a representative from one of the country’s largest travel agencies, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Many customers specifically ask if their flight is on a Boeing 737-800. If so, they want to cancel.”

Further compounding the issue, a Jeju Air flight from Seoul was forced to return on Monday due to a landing gear problem. The aircraft involved was the same model as the one in Sunday’s crash. Local media reported that 21 passengers chose not to board an alternate flight after landing, citing safety concerns.

Market impact: Airline shares plummet

The crash’s fallout extended to financial markets, with Jeju Air’s shares dropping by as much as 15% on Monday. Shares of AK Holdings Inc., Jeju Air’s largest stakeholder, also fell more than 12%. Multiple domestic tour agency stocks dropped over 5% as the tragedy cast a shadow over South Korea’s travel sector.

Sunday’s crash has left an indelible mark on South Korea’s aviation and travel industries, prompting widespread cancellations and deepening concerns over airline safety. The long-term implications for Jeju Air and its passengers remain uncertain as the investigation into the crash continues.