Yecheon Airport

The primary reason for closure was severe economic non-viability driven by a drastic decline in passenger demand. This decline was a direct result of major improvements in ground transportation, specifically the opening of the Jungbu Naeryuk Expressway (Central Inland Expressway) in the early 2000s. The new expressway provided a much faster and more convenient link to Seoul and other major cities, rendering the short-haul flights from Yecheon obsolete and unprofitable. Passenger numbers, which had peaked at over 440,000 annually in the mid-1990s, plummeted to unsustainable levels, forcing airlines to suspend all routes.

The airport has fully reverted to its original and sole function as a military installation. It is now an active airbase known as Yecheon Air Base, operated by the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF). The base is home to the ROKAF's 16th Fighter Wing, which serves as a critical facility for advanced flight training, primarily operating the T-50 and TA-50 Golden Eagle trainer aircraft. The former civilian terminal and associated public infrastructure have been demolished or repurposed for military use. The site is an active military zone and is not accessible to the public.

Yecheon Airport (Official ICAO: RKTY, IATA: YEC) was originally constructed as a military airbase for the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) in the 1970s. It opened for dual civil-military use on February 1, 1989, becoming a key regional airport for the northern Gyeongsangbuk-do province. It provided vital air links for residents of Yecheon, Andong, Mungyeong, and surrounding areas. Major South Korean carriers, including Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, operated regular flights, primarily connecting the region to Seoul-Gimpo Airport and Jeju International Airport. For over a decade, it was an important transportation hub that supported local business and tourism before being superseded by the national highway system. The identifier 'KR-0036' is a non-standard ICAO code, likely from a specific mapping or airport database; its official code was RKTY.

There are no concrete or viable plans to reopen Yecheon Airport for commercial civilian flights. Over the years, local and provincial governments have occasionally floated proposals to re-establish civil aviation to boost regional tourism or for logistical purposes. However, these initiatives have consistently failed to gain traction due to significant and persistent obstacles. These include: 1) the continued lack of economic justification and passenger demand, 2) the high financial cost of rebuilding civilian infrastructure, and 3) the operational and security complexities of reintroducing civilian traffic to an active and important military training base. Therefore, the prospects for reopening are considered extremely low.