14 Airports Nationwide Expected to Serve 1.25 Million Passengers During Lunar New Year Holiday

Special Quarantine Measures and Chinese Interpretation Support Implemented at 7 International Airports in Response to 'Wuhan Pneumonia'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yu Je-hoon] Korea Airports Corporation announced on the 22nd that it will organize and operate special traffic countermeasure headquarters at 14 airports nationwide, excluding the headquarters and Incheon International Airport, from the 23rd to the 27th to accommodate the Lunar New Year holiday traffic.

According to the corporation, the total number of passengers expected to use airports nationwide during the holiday period is approximately 1,256,000, including 966,000 domestic passengers and 290,000 international passengers. This represents an increase of about 6.1% compared to the previous year's holiday period.

The busiest day is predicted to be the 27th, with an estimated 255,259 passengers (1,500 flights) using airports nationwide for arrivals and departures.

To prepare for situations such as heavy snowfall during this period, the corporation will conduct inspections of aircraft takeoff and landing facilities and airport-related facilities at airports nationwide, carry out snow removal drills, and review measures to handle passenger congestion. Additionally, extra guides will be deployed at security checkpoints, and special duty shifts will be implemented.

In particular, to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus recently originating from Wuhan, China, seven international airports nationwide will cooperate with quarantine authorities and the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct special quarantine measures and provide Chinese language interpretation support.

A corporation official stated, "Due to expected congestion in terminals and parking lots during the short holiday period, using public transportation, arriving at the departure airport earlier than usual, utilizing the parking reservation system (Gimpo Airport), self-check-in, and automated identification services such as biometric authentication (fingerprint, palm vein) can help passengers use air transportation more quickly and conveniently."