Takeoffs and landings at South Korea’s Incheon Airport were disrupted for three hours because trash-filled balloons launched by North Korea overnight landed near passenger terminal two.
Incheon International Airport Corporation confirmed domestic and international flights were suspended for about three hours from 1:46 a.m. to 4:43 a.m. on June 26.
The disruption was caused by a waste-filled balloon sent by North Korea. One balloon crashed near Gate 248 of passenger terminal two at around 4:08 a.m.
Whenever a balloon carrying trash is spotted in the sky or on grounds in and around Yeongjong Island, where the airport is located, the airport immediately suspends all takeoffs and landings. An airport official explained that this is due to safety concerns, as the substances in the balloons can cause accidents if sucked into the engines of airplanes during flight.
Runways have reopened since around 5 a.m., said airport officials.
North Korea launched more than 250 trash-carrying balloons across the border overnight, marking the sixth launch since last month. Approximately 100 balloons landed mostly in Seoul and the northern part of Gyeonggi Province, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
