▲ Firefighters carry out rescue operations at Muan International Airport in Muan, 288 kilometers southwest of Seoul, on Dec. 29, 2024, after a passenger plane with 181 people aboard crashed. (Yonhap)
▲ Song Kyung-hoon, head of the management support office at Jeju Air, speaks at a press conference in Seoul following the crash of a Jeju Air plane at Muan International Airport in Muan, South Jeolla Province, on Dec. 29, 2024. (Yonhap)
▲ Jeju Air CEO Kim E-bae apologizes to the families of the victims of a Jeju Air plane crash at Muan International Airport in Muan, South Jeolla Province, on Dec. 29, 2024, in this Joint Press Corps photo. (Yonhap)

(2nd LD) Jeju Air-plane crash

(2nd LD) Jeju Air vows all-out efforts to cope with deadly plane crash

(ATTN: UPDATES with latest remarks, details throughout; ADDS photos)

SEOUL, Dec. 29 (Yonhap) -- Jeju Air Co. on Sunday said it will spare no effort to cope with a deadly crash of its flight carrying 181 people, with the airline's chief executive saying that its top priority is supporting bereaved families of the victims.

"We extend our deepest condolences and apologies to the passengers who lost their lives in the accident and to their bereaved families," Jeju Air CEO Kim E-bae said in a statement.

The statement came after a Jeju Air flight, coming from Bangkok, veered off the runway during landing and collided with a fence at Muan International Airport in Muan County, about 288 kilometers southwest of Seoul.

Except for the two rescued from the accident, all people on board are presumed to have died, firefighting authorities said. They reported 177 dead and two others missing just after 7 p.m., with search operations stretching into the night.

"Currently, the exact cause of the accident has yet to be determined, and we must wait for the official investigation by government agencies," Kim said. "Regardless of the cause, I take full responsibility as the CEO."

In a press briefing later Sunday, Song Kyung-hoon, head of the management support office at Jeju Air, said the company should be able to provide all necessary support to the victims and their families, thanks to its US$1 billion insurance plan.

Song added Jeju Air dispatched about 260 employees to Muan to help support the surviving families, while a separate team of investigators will be on the ground to help the transport ministry determine the cause of the crash.

Song claimed the accident should not be attributed to any aircraft defects or a busy flying schedule.

"This crash is not about any maintenance issues. There can be absolutely no compromise when it comes to maintaining aircraft," Song said. "There are areas we have to investigate further by determining the exact cause of the crash. Here at Jeju Air, we prepare for each and every flight thoroughly to ensure safe trips."

On suggestions that the plane might have been overworked, Song said, "You can't say the schedule was overwhelming. We follow a predetermined schedule for maintenance checks and we leave no stone unturned when it comes to maintenance work before takeoffs."

Song declined to go into specific discussions of possible causes, saying, "We have submitted all necessary information, including the maintenance log, to the transport ministry, so that it can help them determine the cause."

Of the 175 passengers, two were Thai nationals. Song said Jeju Air had informed the Thai Embassy in South Korea of the situation and will offer follow-up support as necessary.

With the Muan airport shut down, Song said travelers initially scheduled to arrive at Muan in the coming days will instead land at other airports, including Incheon International Airport lying just west of Seoul.

"For those who were scheduled to fly with us today and in the coming days, we will help with any itinerary change or cancellation," Song added.

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