Daegu International Airport (Korean: 대구국제공항; Hanja: 大邱國際空港; RR: Daegu Gukje Gonghang; MR: Taegu Kukche Konghang; IATA: TAE, ICAO: RKTN) is an international airport serving the city of Daegu and the surrounding area in southeastern South Korea. The airport is also a military base for the ROKAF's 11th Fighter Wing, whose three squadrons fly the F-15K.
Overview
The airport chiefly serves domestic routes with a small number of international flights. Despite the growth of the nearby city of Daegu, passenger numbers at Daegu International Airport have been steadily declining since 2004, the year when KTX highspeed rail reached the city. The 2013 number of about 1.1 million passengers is around half of pre-2003 figures.
Since 2014, passenger numbers have increased sharply due to the expansion of Low-Cost Carriers. Because Daegu Airport is shared with the military, taking photographs or video of the apron, the runway or the military facility is strictly prohibited.
History
Daegu International Airport was originally established under Japanese rule as Taegu Airfield on 31 January 1937.[2]
Korean War
At the outbreak of the Korean War, the airfield consisted of a dirt and gravel runway and two concrete buildings.[3] The airfield was designated by the USAF as K-2.
The existing dirt and gravel runway was improved by the 822nd Engineer Aviation Battalion beginning on 18 July, and the Battalion subsequently began preparations for a parallel 5,000 foot (1,500 m) PSP (perforated steel planks) runway on 7 August.[3]: 110
USAF units based at Taegu from July–August 1950 included:
51st Fighter Squadron (Provisional) from 10 July–August 4, 1950[3]: 95
6002nd Air Base Squadron from July–8 August 1950[3]: 95
6147th Tactical Control Squadron (Airborne) operating T-6 Mosquitos from 1 August–September 6, 1950[3]: 106
6149th Air Base Unit from August 1950
Taegu Airfield was abandoned following the North Koreanattack on Taegu in mid-August 1950, but USAF units began reoccupying the base by 23 September 1950.[3]: 176 The 822nd Battalion had returned to Taegu on 17 September and soon resurfaced the original dirt and gravel runway with PSP and extended its length to 5,700 feet (1,700 m).[3]: 177
USAF units based at Taegu from September 1950 included:[3]: 177
49th Fighter-Bomber Group operating F-80s from 1 October 1950. This was the first jet unit to be based in Korea. Subordinate units included:
162nd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Night Photo from 8 October
363rd Reconnaissance Technical Squadron from 4 October
In May 1951, the 930th Engineer Aviation Group began repair work on the PSP runway and commenced construction of a 9,000 feet (2,700 m) concrete runway.[3]: 395
Daegu Airport consists of 2 separate terminals: Domestic Terminal and International Terminal.
The relatively small passenger terminal (International Terminal) boasts a comfortable environment through its adoption of traditional design elements symbolizing Ouga (The song of five friends: water, rock, pine, bamboo, and moon; by Yun Son-Do), and its crane-like structure.
The parking lot can accommodate about 1,097 cars and has a fully automated parking system; it is open from 6 am to 10 pm.[4]
On 26 May 2023, a male passenger opened the door of an Asiana Airbus A321 just a few minutes before landing. The plane made a safe landing, however a number of people had injuries. The man was arrested by authorities. [12]
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