Pohang Airport

Pohang Gyeongju Airport is an airport in Pohang, South Korea (IATA: KPO, ICAO: RKTH). In 2011, 255,227 passengers used the airport.[1]

Pohang Gyeongju Airport

포항경주공항
浦項慶州空港

Pohang Gyeongju Gonghang

P'ohang Kyeongju Konghang
Summary
Airport typePublic / Military
OwnerMinistry of National Defence
United States Marine Corps
Operator
ServesPohang, Gyeongju
LocationPohang, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea
OpenedFebruary 1970 (1970-02)
Elevation AMSL75 ft / 23 m
Coordinates35°59′16″N 129°25′13″E
Map
KPO is located in South Korea
KPO
KPO
KPO is located in Asia
KPO
KPO
KPO is located in North Pacific
KPO
KPO
KPO is located in Earth
KPO
KPO
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
10/28 2,134 7,000 Concrete
Statistics (2019)
Passengers93,769
Aircraft Movements1,162
Cargo Tonnage395
Source:KAC[1]

History

Pohang Airfield was originally developed during the Japanese Imperial period.

Korean war
F9F-2s of VMF-311 at Pohang in 1951

In early July 1950 Pohang airfield was identified as a potential base for USAF operations. On 7 July, Brigadier-General Timberlake deputy-commander of the Fifth Air Force ordered the development of the base. Company A 802nd Engineer Aviation Battalion landed at Pohang and began improving the airfield on 12 July by added a 500 feet (150 m) PSP extension and building hardstands for 27 F-51 Mustangs.[2] The airfield was designated by the USAF as K-3.

Troops of the Korean People's Army (KPA) 12th Division infiltrated the Pohang area in early August and made guerilla attacks against the airfield. By 12 August KPA troops entered Pohang and so on 13 August the 35th Fighter-Interceptor Group evacuated to Tsuiki Air Field in Japan. ROK and U.S. forces routed the KPA several days later, but the continued presence of guerilla units mitigated against an early return to the base.[2]: 124 

USAF units based there from July–August 1950 included:

The 802nd Battalion returned to Pohang on 27 September finding the airfield relatively undamaged. The 35th Fighter-Interceptor Group returned to Pohang on 3 October. On 12 October No. 77 Squadron RAAF operating F-51s arrived at Pohang.[2]: 178 

In July 1953 the United States Navy deployed two AJ (A-2) Savage aircraft to K-3 as a nuclear deterrent in the final days of the Korean War.[3]

In March 15, 1999 Pohang airport was the site of Korean Air Flight 1533 a McDonnell Douglas MD-83 which was flying from Seoul to Pohang. The flight overshot runway 10 during landing at Pohang Airport. All 156 people on board survived, but the aircraft was destroyed. The accidient was the 11th hull loss of an McDonnell Douglas MD-80.[1]

Current

In October 2008 the United States Navy relocated a permanent detachment of MH-53E Sea Dragons assigned to HM-14 from Iwakuni, Japan. This detachment provides Seventh Fleet with a forward-deployed AMCM and heavy-lift asset. Because Pohang Gyeongju Airport is sharing with military, taking photograph or video of apron, runway and military facility is strictly prohibited.

Airlines and destinations
AirlinesDestinations
Jin Air Jeju,[4] Seoul–Gimpo[4]

Statistics
Annual passenger traffic at KPO airport. See Wikidata query.
Air traffic statistics
Aircraft operations Passenger volume Cargo tonnage
2001 8,345 774,029 1,964
2002 8,128 704,467 1,582
2003 7,608 645,494 2,086
2004 7,285 659,988 2,410
2005 4,968 464,653 1,677
2006 3,591 347,180 1,208
2007 2,831 297,702 980
2008 2,998 267,686 805
2009 3,746 304,372 865
2010 3,598 323,652 959
2011 3,542 260,050 860
2012 3,312 262,198 886
2013 3,131 239,516 909
2014 1,540 112,387 441
2015 0 0 0
2016 916 68,226 216
2017 1,373 98,391 323
2018 1,358 83,818 332
2019 1,162 93,769 395
2020 838 65,994 295
2021 1,868 158,927 697
2022 2,514 249,413 1,084
Source: Korea Airports Corporation Traffic Statistics[5]

Access

Bus
  • No. 200 : Yangdeok ↔ Lotte Department Store ↔ Jukdo Market ↔ POSCO ↔ Pohang Gyeongju Airport ↔ Guryongpo

References
  1. "South Korea Traffic Statistics". KAC.
  2. Futrell, Frank (1983). The United States Air Force in Korea, 1950-1953 (PDF). Air Force History & Museums Program. p. 95. ISBN 9780912799711.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. Miller, Jerry. Nuclear Weapons and Aircraft Carriers: How the Bomb Saved Naval Aviation. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 2001. ISBN 1-56098-944-0.
  4. "포항~김포, 포항~제주 노선 진에어 31일 취항" [Pohang-Gimpo, Pohang-Jeju route Jin Air launched on the 31st]. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). 16 July 2020.
  5. "Air Traffic Statistics". Incheon International Airport. Archived from the original on 2020-01-14. Retrieved 23 July 2023.

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Air Force.

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