• Journal of International Area Studies (JIAS)
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.109-144
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• 2014

In 2010, large areas of European airspace were closed by the volcanic ash generated by the eruption of Icelandic volcano and it disrupted global trade, business and travel which caused a huge economic damage on the air transport industry. This brought concerned about the economic impact by the eruption of Mt. Baekdu volcano. In this paper, we analyze the affected areas of the air transport industry were decided by calculating the PM10 density of volcanic ash changed over time and by determining the safe upper limit of ash density in their airspace. We separate the sales in the air transport industry according to each airline, airport, and month to estimate the direct losses when all flights inside a restricted zone were canceled. Also, we estimate the indirect losses in regional output, income, and value-added of the different major industries using interindustry (input-output) analysis. There is no direct damage from VEI 1 to VEI 5. But when VEI is 6, all flights to and from Yangyang airport will be canceled due to the No Fly Zone. And some flights to and from the airports Gimhae, Ulsan and Pohang will be restricted due to the Time Limited Zone. When VEI is 7, Yangyang, Gimhae, Ulsan, Pohang and Daegu airports will be closed and all flights will be canceled and delayed. During this time, the total economic losses on the air transport industry are estimated at 8.1 billion won(direct losses of about 3.55 billion won, indirect losses of about 4.57 billion won). Gimhae international airport accounted for 92% of the total loss and is the most affected area according to the volcanic ash scenario of Mt. Baekdu.