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lot of snow fell in Jeju last weekend, so many people had to board the plane later than the scheduled time. However, after clearing the snow at Jeju International Airport, there was a report that the aircraft, which was moving toward the runway, returned to the boarding area again due to the captain's working hours and the departure was delayed.
Reporter Hyung-woo Jeon reported.
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Mr. A suffered a delay in his flight to Seoul due to heavy snow on Jeju last Sunday.
We boarded the aircraft more than 4 hours later than scheduled and the aircraft started moving, but the aircraft stopped because it was necessary to clear the snow that had accumulated on the aircraft.
After about 30 minutes the snow was cleared and the aircraft headed back to the runway.
However, this time, the pilot's statutory working hours were exceeded and an announcement was made to return the aircraft to the boarding area.
Passengers who returned to Jeju International Airport protested fiercely.
[Korean Air official (at the time of the 26th): We cannot provide compensation-related parts because it is due to the weather.]
[The passenger (at the time of the 26th): The flight was canceled because the captain's overtime was the fault of Korean Air. it's not So I have to compensate.]
Finally, after waiting for another two and a half hours, the captain and crew were replaced and we were able to get off at Incheon International Airport.
[Mr A/Passenger: (Overtime) It is a situation I should have known from the moment I was on board, but it doesn’t make sense to go and do all the snow removal and then return.] For
safe operation, the airline requires the captain’s working hours within 24 hours. This is in accordance with the regulations of the Aviation Safety Act, which states that the duration of this 13-hour period must not be exceeded.
A Korean Air spokesperson explained, "There was a long delay due to the force majeure situation of heavy snow, and the crew had to be replaced."
At the time of boarding, the captain was able to operate the flight, but the continuous heavy snow delayed the aircraft's snow removal operation, so the working hours were exceeded.
[Mr A/Passenger: It was 4 o’clock in the morning when I came home.
I think I was at the airport for an hour or so.
It is understandable that you cannot receive compensation due to natural disasters.
I don't understand this part about the captain's overtime.]
Starting in 2018, if such a case leads to a dispute, the standard has been changed for airlines to prove that the flight was delayed due to 'force majeure' such as bad weather.
However, the reality is that it is difficult for passengers to receive compensation because it is too burdensome to go to court.
(Video editing: Lee Hong-myeong, VJ: Roh Jae-min)