Massive impact on South Korean air traffic
According to South Korean reports, balloons sent from North Korea over the border for weeks have had significant impacts on aviation. Over 110 flights have been disrupted since the beginning of March balloon launches, according to South Korean Representative Jeong Jun Ho, citing data from the Ministry of Transport. This affected more than 10,000 passengers.
Long-haul flights from the USA and Canada were also forced to make detours. Hundreds of passengers on flights from San Francisco, Vancouver, and Los Angeles "were supposed to land at Incheon International Airport, but landed at Cheongju Airport instead, not knowing what was going on," Jeong stated. He urged authorities to take action to prevent activists from sending balloons into the North.
In the past few weeks, North Korea has sent over a thousand balloons filled with garbage over the border to South Korea. The contents of these balloons reportedly included cigarette butts and toilet paper. North Korea's response, according to its own statements, is to counteract balloons sent by South Korean activists carrying anti-Kim Jong Un propaganda leaflets and money for the impoverished North's population.
- The disruptions in air traffic due to North Korea's garbage balloon launches have resulted in massive rerouting of long-haul flights from the USA and Canada.
- Because of the numerous North Korean garbage balloon releases, the effects on aviation have been significant, with over 110 flights being affected since March.
- The massive release of garbage balloons from North Korea has had tangible effects on air traffic, leading to the diversion of flights from Incheon International Airport to Cheongju Airport.
