Incheon Where Small Business Owners Cry, Gimpo Smiling at Backpackers [Two Airports Story]

Incheon "All Hope Is Lost"
Pharmacies and Restaurants Are Open
But Sales Recovery Remains Uncertain
Anxiety Over Overseas Arrivals Waiting

Gimpo "January Sales Double Last Year"
Simple Outfits for Hiking, Golf, and Fishing
Traveling Nationwide to Enjoy Hobbies
Long Taxi Queues on the Roads

On the night of the 14th, the platform where luggage can be checked in at Gimpo Airport is crowded with people.

On the afternoon of the 14th, the international arrivals platform at Incheon International Airport is showing a quiet scene.

"We're grateful even if we get just one fare every three or four days. (Incheon)", "Since the With-Corona policy, during the year-end holiday rush, we welcomed customers without even a moment to go to the restroom. (Gimpo)"

These are the stories of large taxi drivers waiting at Incheon and Gimpo International Airports. The large taxi market, sought after by airport users carrying a lot of luggage, clearly showed the contrasting situations of the two airports.

On Friday the 14th, when many people were trying to catch flights, the stories of Incheon and Gimpo Airports, gateways to the skies of the Seoul metropolitan area, seemed like a microcosm of our society two years after COVID-19. While Incheon, focused on international routes, felt even desolate, Gimpo, mostly serving domestic passengers, showed a lively atmosphere with people enjoying various hobbies such as fishing, golf, and hiking over the weekend.

◆Incheon: sighs among self-employed workers=At Incheon Airport visited that day, self-employed workers kept sighing. With the air routes blocked and travelers decreasing, sales have plummeted. Yoon (53), who runs a pharmacy at Incheon Airport Terminal 1, keeps the pharmacy open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., but sales are only about one-tenth of what they were before COVID-19. Yoon said, "Since there are no people at the airport, there is no promise of when sales will increase again," adding, "There is no other way, so I keep the store open, but not only travelers, even the number of resident employees is decreasing." A restaurant worker, A, said, "Sales have dropped by 80%, but we have gotten used to this situation," and added, "When the Omicron outbreak happened last year, the hope of 'revival' was also crushed."

Self-employed workers at Incheon Airport complain that even with the easing of social distancing, they cannot expect sales to rise. When social distancing levels are lowered, people tend to visit busy areas like Gangnam Station and Hongdae in Seoul, but Incheon Airport shows no such effect. One self-employed worker questioned, "Would anyone come all the way to Incheon Airport to spend money when they are not even departing?"

On the evening of the 14th, a traveler is waiting for a taxi on the sidewalk in front of Gimpo Airport.

◆Gimpo: excitement with light backpacks=Unlike the desolate feeling at Incheon Airport, the symbol of Gimpo Airport visited that night was the ‘backpack.’ It was easy to spot people carrying hiking bags or golf and fishing gear. Gimpo Airport was bustling with people dressed lightly, heading to enjoy hobbies across the country, and they smiled brightly behind their masks. Platforms for domestic flights or baggage check-in were crowded, and traffic congestion occurred on the front roads. The parking lot was full of vehicles, and long lines of taxis waiting to pick up passengers formed a crowd.

Jo (51), who sells travel goods at Gimpo Airport, explained, "Although still less than before COVID-19, sales in January this year have doubled compared to January last year," adding, "It seems many people are traveling domestically."

Jung (54), who visited Gimpo Airport to go to Jeju Island, said, "I plan to travel while following quarantine rules such as getting vaccinated and minimizing contact with others by reducing movement," and added, "I can't stay home all the time, so I decided to hike Hallasan with a friend."

On the evening of the 14th, taxis formed a waiting line on the road in front of Gimpo Airport.

◆Persistent fear of COVID-19=There was even a sense of tension at the arrival hall of Incheon Airport Terminal 1. Belt barriers were installed in the waiting area for those arriving from overseas to get tested, and security guards and quarantine officials wore protective suits to maintain the quarantine status of arrivals. Airport workers also experienced psychological stress about COVID-19 infection despite the quarantine of arrivals. A restaurant employee at Incheon Airport said, "Although the COVID-19 test results come back negative, news about new confirmed cases imported from overseas keeps coming, causing anxiety." Cleaning worker Seo said, "We haven't hired anyone for two years since COVID-19," and added, "Working at an international airport, I am always anxious, thinking I might get infected anytime." The fear of COVID-19 was the same at Gimpo. In fact, the risk of infection was higher due to the crowd. A convenience store employee said, "Working during the crowded holidays, it's almost amazing not to get infected with COVID-19."