The Korean Civil Aviation Pilots Association recently submitted a position statement regarding the proposed Gadeokdo New Airport, emphasizing that the site poses a bird strike risk that could be up to 246 times greater than that of Muan Airport. The statement highlights that the high risk of bird collisions in structurally problematic areas cannot be eliminated through post-management strategies, raising concerns about the airport's safety. The association's comments come amidst ongoing litigation initiated by environmental groups, who are advocating for a comprehensive re-evaluation of the airport project, which has already faced multiple legal setbacks.

In their statement, the association warned that aviation accidents resulting from bird strikes can lead to catastrophic outcomes that cannot be mitigated after the fact. They advocated for bird risk assessment to be a critical factor in site selection for new airports and suggested that, should the location near bird habitats become unavoidable, the implementation of strict risk management measures with the presence of avian experts on-site should be considered. This proactive approach aims at managing operational limitations based on the ecological considerations of local bird species.

The president of the Pilots Association, Lee Chung-seop, reiterated that bird strike risks are inherently uncontrollable by humans and underscored the importance of avoiding airport construction in high-risk areas. He stated that if an airport must be built in such a location, it is essential to establish higher protective measures. The article also referenced prior environmental impact assessments conducted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, which indicated that Gadeokdo's annual bird strike risk was significantly higher than that of Muan Airport, showing an alarming potential for severe consequences if the airport progresses as planned.