View source for Daegu International Airport

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Short description|Airport serving Daegu, South Korea}}
{{Infobox airport
| name               = Daegu International Airport
| nativename         = {{lang|ko|대구국제공항}}
| image              = 대구국제공항.jpg
| image-width        = 250
| IATA               = TAE
| ICAO               = RKTN
| pushpin_map        = South Korea
| pushpin_relief     = 
| pushpin_mark       = 
| pushpin_label      = '''TAE'''/RKTN
|coordinates         = {{coord|35|53|39|N|128|39|32|E|display=inline,title}}
|pushpin_map_caption = Location of airport in South Korea
| type               = Public / Military
| owner              = [[Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (South Korea)|Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport]]
| operator           = {{ubl|class=nowrap
  | [[Korea Airports Corporation]]
  | [[Republic of Korea Air Force]]}}
| owner-oper         = 
| city-served        = [[Daegu]] and [[North Gyeongsang]]
| location           = [[Dong District, Daegu|Dong District]], [[Daegu]], [[South Korea]]
| built              = {{start date and age|1937|01|31|df=yes}}
| opened             = {{start date and age|1961|04|01|df=yes}}
| hub                = [[T'way Air]]
| elevation-f        = 116
| elevation-m        = 35
| website            = {{URL|http://www.airport.co.kr/daegueng/main.do|airport.co.kr/daegueng}}
| metric-rwy         = Yes
| r1-number          = 13L/31R
| r1-length-f        = 8,999
| r1-length-m        = 2,743
| r1-surface         = Concrete
| r2-number          = 13R/31L
| r2-length-f        = 9,039
| r2-length-m        = 2,755
| r2-surface         = [[Asphalt concrete]]
| stat-year          = 2019
| stat1-header       = Passengers
| stat1-data         = 4,669,057
| stat2-header       = Aircraft movements
| stat2-data         = 31,236
| stat3-header       = Tonnes of cargo
| stat3-data         = 34,718
| footnotes          = Statistics from KAC<ref name="stats">{{cite web |url=https://www.airport.co.kr/www/extra/stats/airportStats/layOut.do?menuId=397 |title=공항별 통계 : 항공통계 : 알림·홍보 : Kac 한국공항공사 |access-date=20 January 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120093752/https://www.airport.co.kr/www/extra/stats/airportStats/layOut.do?menuId=397 |archive-date=20 January 2019  }}</ref>
}}

{{Infobox Korean name/auto
| hangul = ^대구_국제공항
| hanja  = 大邱國際空港
}}

'''Daegu International Airport''' {{airport codes|TAE|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 [[Republic of Korea Air Force|ROKAF]]'s 11th Fighter Wing, whose three squadrons fly the [[McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle#F-15K|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 [[Korea Train Express|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 carrier]]s. 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 [[Korea under Japanese rule|under Japanese rule]] as '''Taegu Airfield''' on 31 January 1937.<ref>[{{NDLDC|2959525/3}} Notice no. 40, 1937, Government-General of Korea]. {{in lang|ja}} {{JPNO|00084180}} {{doi|10.11501/2959525}}</ref>

===Korean War===
At the outbreak of the [[Korean War]], the airfield consisted of a dirt and gravel runway and two concrete buildings.<ref name=Futrell>{{cite book|last=Futrell|first=Frank|title=The United States Air Force in Korea, 1950–1953|publisher=Air Force History & Museums Program|year=1983|url=https://media.defense.gov/2010/Dec/02/2001329903/-1/-1/0/AFD-101202-022.pdf|isbn=9780912799711|page=89}}{{PD-notice}}</ref> The airfield was designated by the [[USAF]] as '''K-2'''.

The airfield was used as part of the [[Bout One]] project, an emergency program to train [[Republic of Korea Air Force]] pilots to fly the [[North American P-51 Mustang|P-51 Mustang]]. The Bout One planes provided close air support to the U.S. [[24th Infantry Division (United States)|24th Infantry Division]] through July 1950.<ref name=Futrell/>{{rp|89–90}} On 10 July 1950, the Bout One force was re-designated as the 51st Fighter Squadron,<ref name=Futrell/>{{rp|95}} and was merged into the [[12th Fighter Squadron|12th Fighter-Bomber Squadron]] on 4 August.<ref name=Futrell/>{{rp|112}}

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 {{convert|5000|foot}} [[Marsden Matting|PSP]] (perforated steel planks) runway on 7 August.<ref name=Futrell/>{{rp|110}}

USAF units based at Taegu from July–August 1950 included:
*[[18th Operations Group|18th Fighter-Bomber Group]], from July–August 1950, subordinate units included:
**[[12th Fighter Squadron|12th Fighter-Bomber Squadron]] operating F-51 from 15 July 1950<ref name=Futrell/>{{rp|95}}
*[[51st Fighter Squadron (Provisional)]] from 10 July–August 4, 1950<ref name=Futrell/>{{rp|95}}
*[[6002nd Air Base Squadron]] from July–8 August 1950<ref name=Futrell/>{{rp|95}}
*[[6147th Tactical Control Squadron (Airborne)]] operating [[North American T-6 Texan|T-6 Mosquitos]] from 1 August–September 6, 1950<ref name=Futrell/>{{rp|106}}
*[[6149th Air Base Unit]] from August 1950

Taegu Airfield was abandoned following the [[Korean People's Army|North Korean]] [[Battle of Taegu|attack on Taegu]] in mid-August 1950, but USAF units began reoccupying the base by 23 September 1950.<ref name=Futrell/>{{rp|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 {{convert|5700|ft}}.<ref name=Futrell/>{{rp|177}}

USAF units based at Taegu from September 1950 included:<ref name=Futrell/>{{rp|177}}
*[[49th Operations Group|49th Fighter-Bomber Group]] operating [[Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star|F-80s]] from 1 October 1950. This was the first jet unit to be based in Korea. Subordinate units included:
**[[7th Fighter Squadron|7th Fighter-Bomber Squadron]] from 28 September
**[[8th Fighter Squadron|8th Fighter-Bomber Squadron]] from 29 September
**[[9th Fighter Squadron|9th Fighter-Bomber Squadron]] from 29 September
*[[543rd Tactical Support Group]] from 26 September, subordinate units included:
**[[8th Flying Training Squadron|8th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Photo-Jet]] operating RF-80s from 2 October
**[[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 {{convert|9000|ft}} concrete runway.<ref name=Futrell/>{{rp|395}}

<gallery>
File:27th-fighter-escort-F-84E-49-2360.jpg|[[Republic F-84 Thunderjet|F-84E]] of the 27th Fighter Escort Group in 1951
File:Casualties are loaded on USAF C-54D Taegu 1951.jpg|Casualties being loaded onto a [[Douglas C-54 Skymaster|C-54]] in 1951
File:F-86F 12th FBS at Taegu 1952.jpg|An [[North American F-86 Sabre|F-86F]] of the 12th Fighter-Bomber Squadron at Taegu in 1952
</gallery>

===Postwar===
<gallery>
File:F-84G maintenance at Taegu AB 1954.jpg|[[Republic F-84 Thunderjet|F-84]] engine maintenance in 1954
File:F-4D ROKAF w Sidewinders 1979.jpeg|ROKAF [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II|F-4D]] in 1979
File:An MH-53J Pave Low III helicopter from the 31st Special Operations Squadron at Osan Air Base sits on the flightline at Taegu Air Base, South Korea in support of Foal Eagle '93 DF-ST-94-01932.jpg|[[Sikorsky MH-53#MH-53J/M|MH-53J]] at Taegu in 1993
</gallery>

==Terminal==
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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://daegu.airport.co.kr/eng/park/trans_info.jsp|title=Information for parking lot|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080315203651/http://daegu.airport.co.kr/eng/park/trans_info.jsp|archive-date=15 March 2008}}</ref>

==Airlines and destinations==
<!-- Please use independent sources. The airport and the airline itself are not independent sources. -->
{{airport-dest-list
<!-- -->
| [[Asiana Airlines]] | [[Jeju International Airport|Jeju]]<ref>{{OAGWorldAug2025Ref|title=Jeju, Korea Republic Of CJU|pages=600-601}}</ref>
<!-- -->
| {{nowrap|[[China Eastern Airlines]]}} | [[Shanghai Pudong International Airport|Shanghai–Pudong]]
<!-- -->
| {{nowrap|[[China United Airlines]]}} | '''Seasonal:''' [[Ordos Ejin Horo International Airport|Ordos]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Liu |first1=Jim |title=China United Adds Ordos – Daegu Service in NS25 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/250611-knns25tae |website=AeroRoutes |access-date=11 June 2025 |language=en-CA |date=11 June 2025}}</ref>
<!-- -->
| [[HK Express]] | [[Hong Kong International Airport|Hong Kong]]<ref>{{OAGWorldAug2025Ref|title=Hong Kong (SAR) China HKG|pages=543-547}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://inews.hket.com/article/3920088/HKExpress |title=HKExpress｜香港快運6月開通清州及大邱航線 推韓國5航點限時慶祝優惠、機票最平108元 |date=14 March 2025 |website=[[Hong Kong Economic Times]] |author=李哲毅 |access-date=27 May 2025 |language=zh}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=HK Express Expands In Korea With 2 New Routes Starting This Summer|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/hk-express-expands-in-korea-with-2-new-routes-starting-this-summer/ar-AA1AWYF1|website=msn|date=14 March 2025}}</ref>
<!-- -->
| [[Jeju Air]] | [[Mactan–Cebu International Airport|Cebu]], [[Jeju International Airport|Jeju]]
<!-- -->
| [[Jin Air]] | [[Jeju International Airport|Jeju]], [[Taoyuan International Airport|Taipei–Taoyuan]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/221128-ljdec22tpe|title=JIN AIR ADDS DAEGU – TAIPEI SERVICE FROM LATE-DEC 2022|website=Aeroroutes|date=28 November 2022|access-date = 28 November 2022}}</ref>
<!-- -->
| [[Korean Air]] | [[Jeju International Airport|Jeju]],<ref>{{OAGWorldAug2025Ref|title=Jeju, Korea Republic Of CJU|pages=600-601}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title="국내선 지방/제주 운항 재개" |url=https://www.koreanair.com/kr/ko/footer/customer-support/notice/2023/2310-domw23 |website=Koreanair|access-date=6 October 2023}}</ref> [[Incheon International Airport|Seoul–Incheon]]{{ref|1|1}}
<!-- -->
| [[Loong Air]] | [[Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport|Zhangjiajie]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Loong Air Adds Dayong – Korea Routes in 1Q25 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/250221-gj1h25dyg |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=21 February 2025}}</ref>
<!-- -->
|[[Qingdao Airlines]]|[[Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport|Qingdao]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Qingdao Airlines Adds Qingdao – Daegu From late-Dec 2025|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/251016-qwdec25tae|website=Aeroroutes|access-date=16 October 2025}}</ref>
<!-- -->
| [[Sichuan Airlines]] | [[Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport|Zhangjiajie]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Mainland Chinese Carriers NS23 International / Regional Network – 14MAY23 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230516-cnns23intl |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=16 May 2023}}</ref>
<!-- -->
| [[T'way Air]] | [[Suvarnabhumi Airport|Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi]], [[Da Nang International Airport|Da Nang]], [[Fukuoka Airport|Fukuoka]],<ref name="Tway Resumptions">{{cite web|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/221027-twnw22jp/|title=T'Way Air NW22 Japan Operations – 27OCT22|website=Aeroroutes|date=27 October 2022}}</ref> [[Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport|Guam]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Liu|first=Jim|title=T'Way Air Resumes Osaka – Guam Service in NS25|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/250317-twns25kixgum|website=AeroRoutes|date=17 March 2025}}</ref> [[Jeju International Airport|Jeju]], [[Cam Ranh International Airport|Nha Trang]], [[Kansai International Airport|Osaka–Kansai]], [[Taoyuan International Airport|Taipei–Taoyuan]], [[Narita International Airport|Tokyo–Narita]], [[Yanji Chaoyangchuan International Airport|Yanji]]<br> '''Seasonal:''' [[Chinggis Khaan International Airport|Ulaanbaatar]],<ref>{{cite news |title=T'Way Air Adds Daegu – Ulaanbaatar Service From late-July 2023 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230711-twjul23taeubn |access-date=11 July 2023 |work=AeroRoutes |date=11 July 2023 |language=en-CA}}</ref> [[Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport|Zhangjiajie]] 
<!-- -->
| [[VietJet Air]] | [[Cam Ranh International Airport|Nha Trang]]<ref>{{cite web|author1=VNA |url=https://e.vnexpress.net/news/travel/places/vietjet-to-launch-new-route-connecting-nha-trang-with-south-korea-s-daegu-4765004.html|title=Vietjet to launch new route connecting Nha Trang with South Korea's Daegu|work=VnExpress International|publisher=e.vnexpress.net|access-date=1 July 2024}}</ref>
}}

{{small|{{note|1|1}}Korean Air's service between Daegu and Incheon is available only to passengers flying internationally to/from South Korea with Korean Air<ref>{{cite web |title=Korean Air Resumes Incheon – Daegu Service From April 2023 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230324-ketae |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=24 March 2023}}</ref>}}

== Statistics ==

=== Traffic by calendar year ===
{{Airport-Statistics|iata=TAE}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"; style="text-align: center; font-size: 95%"
|+Traffic by calendar year
!
!Passenger volume
!Aircraft operations
!Cargo tonnage
|-
!2001
|2,214,613
|18,511
|17,564
|-
!2002
|2,274,901
|19,984
|19,825
|-
!2003
|2,228,550
|20,729
|20,823
|-
!2004
|1,567,678
|15,021
|22,803
|-
!2005
|1,236,446
|11,837
|20,565
|-
!2006
|1,194,150
|11,111
|19,898
|-
!2007
|1,177,490
|10,997
|19,619
|-
!2008
|1,079,011
|9,691
|18,247
|-
!2009
|1,026,203
|8,257
|17,669
|-
!2010
|1,148,953
|8,287
|18,526
|-
!2011
|1,178,212
|8,489
|19,724
|-
!2012
|1,110,290
|8,413
|18,352
|-
!2013
|1,084,585
|8,794
|16,383
|-
!2014
|1,537,328
|11,832
|18,808
|-
!2015
|2,027,626
|14,369
|20,480
|-
!2016
|2,533,132
|17,089
|24,341
|-
!2017
|3,560,124
|23,191
|32,031
|-
!2018
|4,062,833
|26,800
|33,267
|-
!2019
|'''4,669,057'''
|'''31,236'''
|'''34,718'''
|-
!2020
|1,749,396
|12,990
|11,050
|-
!2021
|2,048,365
|13,294
|10,583
|-
!2022
|2,255,883
|13,472
|12,394
|-
!2023
|3,302,107
|20,244
|22,077
|-
| colspan="4" |''Source: Korea Airports Corporation Traffic Statistics''<ref>[https://www.airport.kr/co/en/cpr/statisticOfLocalAirport.do "KAC 한국공항공사"]</ref>
|}

==Access==
The airport is 1.34&nbsp;km from [[Ayanggyo Station]] ([[Daegu Subway Line 1]]) and can be reached by bus or taxi.

==Accidents and incidents==
*On 13 June 1991, [[Korean Air]] Flight 376 (HL7350), a Boeing 727 operating a domestic flight from Jeju to Daegu, performed an unexpected [[Korean Air incidents and accidents#1990s|gear-up landing]] at Daegu. The crew failed to read out the landing procedure checklist and therefore did not select the gear down option. Subsequent investigation revealed that the pilot instructed the co-pilot to pull the fuse case from the warning system because the repeated warnings that the landing gear was not deployed were "irritating and distracting". With the warning horn disabled, the South Korean pilot brought the plane in and slid down the length of the runway on the central structural rib in the [[Belly landing|belly of the aircraft]]. There were no serious injuries but the aircraft was written off.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19910613-0|title=Accident description: Korean Air Flight Jeju to Daegu|access-date=12 December 2012|publisher=[[Flight Safety Foundation]]|website=Aviation Safety Network}}</ref> The police applied for an arrest warrant for the captain and the -captain, but controversy arose as the prosecutor rejected the application and investigated it without physical detention, but [[Joo Ho-young]], a judge who later became a member of the National Assembly, said in a trial ruling held in January of the following year, "The heavy responsibility of punishment under the criminal law is inevitable that defendants who are tasked with safe transportation of passengers did not follow basic air operation rules and caused an accident that could kill all 120 passengers." Captain Lee In-sung was sentenced to October in prison, and First Officer Kim Sung-joong and Flight Engineer Park Il-sung were sentenced to August in prison, and they were arrested in court.<ref>{{cite news|date=24 January 1992|url=https://www.hankookilbo.com/News/Read/199201240032608870|title=KAL 동체착륙사고/기장등 3명 법정구속|trans-title=KAL gear-up landing accident / 3 persons including the captain are arrested in court|access-date=21 February 2025|publisher=[[Hankook Ilbo]]|language=ko}}</ref> The gear-up landing blew up the lower part of the aircraft, ultimately rendering it inoperable, and on July 27, 1992, Korean Air donated<ref>{{cite news|date=8 December 2009|url=https://www.ohmynews.com/NWS_Web/View/at_pg.aspx?CNTN_CD=A0001276916|title=［동영상］ 애인과 공짜 비행기 타고 싶으세요?|trans-title= [Video] Do you want to take a free flight with your lover?|access-date=21 February 2025|publisher=[[OhmyNews]]|language=ko}}</ref> the aircraft for practical use to [[Inha University|Inha Technical University]], a member of the same Hanjin Group, after disassembling the remaining aircraft at Daegu International Airport in August 1991.<ref>{{cite web|date=28 December 2020|url=https://www.inhatc.ac.kr/bbs/kr/28/3537/artclView.do|title=B727-200 운반과정 1|trans-title=B727-200 Carrying Process 1|access-date=21 February 2025|publisher=[[Inha University|Inha Technical University]]|language=ko}}</ref> After the farewell event on June 16, 2023,<ref>{{cite web|date=16 June 2023|url=https://www.inhatc.ac.kr/kr/460/subview.do?enc=Zm5jdDF8QEB8JTJGY29tYkJicyUyRmtyJTJGMiUyRjgxMjc0JTJGdmlldy5kbyUzRg%3D%3D|title=Farewell to the 727 (B727-200 항공기 고별 행사)|trans-title=Farewell to the 727 (B727-200 aircraft farewell event)|access-date=21 February 2025|publisher=[[Inha University|Inha Technical University]]|language=ko}}</ref> another aircraft was replaced and after the dismantling, the HL7350 head went to KidZania Hanoi in Westlake Hanoi, Lotte Mall, Hanoi, Vietnam, to be painted with Vietnam Airlines as a decoration.<ref>{{cite news|date=9 October 2023|url=https://dantri.com.vn/kinh-doanh/kidzania-ha-noi-vietnam-airlines-mang-trai-nghiem-hang-khong-tren-boeing-727-cho-tre-20231009062131910.htm|title=KidZania Hà Nội, Vietnam Airlines mang trải nghiệm hàng không trên Boeing 727 cho trẻ|trans-title=KidZania Hanoi, Vietnam Airlines brings an aviation experience on the Boeing 727 for children|access-date=21 February 2025|publisher=Dan Tri|language=vi}}</ref>
*On 26 May 2023, a male passenger opened an emergency exit as [[Asiana Airlines#Accidents and incidents|Asiana Airlines Flight 8124]], an Airbus A321-200 (HL8256) was on approach to Daegu International Airport on a flight from Jeju International Airport, just a few minutes before landing. The emergency slide deployed and was ripped off. The aircraft landed safely, but at least six people were injured and taken to hospital. The man was arrested by authorities<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8211447/passenger-held-after-asiana-plane-door-opens-mid-air/ | title=Passenger held after Asiana plane door opens mid-air | date=26 May 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-65705276 |title=Asiana Airlines: Passenger arrested for opening plane door during South Korea flight |work=BBC News |date=26 May 2023 |accessdate=26 May 2023}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Transportation in South Korea]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{US Air Force}}

==External links==
{{commons category inline}}
* [http://www.airport.co.kr/daegueng/main.do Official website]

{{Portalbar|South Korea|Aviation}}
{{Airports in South Korea}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Buildings and structures in Daegu]]
[[Category:Airports in South Korea]]
[[Category:Korean War air bases]]
[[Category:1937 establishments in Korea]]
[[Category:1961 establishments in South Korea]]
[[Category:Airports established in 1937]]
[[Category:Airports established in 1961]]
[[Category:20th-century architecture in South Korea]]
[[Category:Airports in Korea under Japanese rule]]
[[Category:Military installations of Japan in Korea]]