A Jeju Air flight carrying 189 people safely evacuated after veering off the runway at a Vietnamese airport on Thursday, according to South Korea's Yonhap News Agency. The Boeing 737-800 aircraft briefly entered a safety zone during taxiing after landing, damaging one landing gear tire before returning to the tarmac.
The incident occurred with 183 passengers and six crew members onboard, marking the latest aviation safety event in Southeast Asia's rapidly growing air travel market. Jeju Air confirmed no injuries were reported and emphasized their commitment to passenger safety in a statement to media.
Aviation analysts note such runway excursions often occur during adverse weather or technical issues, though the exact cause remains under investigation. The incident comes as Vietnam's tourism sector rebounds post-pandemic, with passenger traffic growing 34% year-on-year in Q1 2024 according to government data.
Business travelers and tourism operators will monitor potential impacts on flight schedules and airport safety protocols. Jeju Air, South Korea's largest low-cost carrier, operates regular routes between East Asian cities and popular Vietnamese destinations like Da Nang and Nha Trang.
