[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Hyun-seok] Opinions are divided within the aviation industry as Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party candidate for the National Assembly in Incheon Gyeyang-eul, has pledged to relocate Gimpo Airport. Some believe that integrating Incheon International Airport and Gimpo Airport is the right move from a long-term perspective, while others argue that the pledge is premature and disregards the workers employed in the surrounding commercial areas.
According to the industry on the 31st, on the 27th, Song Young-gil, the Democratic Party candidate for Seoul mayor, signed a policy agreement with Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party senior advisor running in the Gyeyang-eul by-election, which included relocating and integrating Gimpo Airport with Incheon International Airport.
In the agreement, candidate Lee Jae-myung asserted that Gimpo Airport should be relocated to develop the western metropolitan area, including Incheon Gyeyang, Gyeonggi Gimpo, and Seoul Gangseo districts.
Regarding this, the aviation industry has expressed that from a long-term perspective, the integration and relocation of Gimpo Airport is the right choice. Since Incheon Airport is currently expanding, it is believed that it can sufficiently absorb the demand from Gimpo Airport. Incheon International Airport is undergoing its fourth phase of construction, which includes expanding the second passenger terminal and adding a fourth runway. Once completed, the annual passenger capacity will increase from the current 77 million to 106 million.
The pledge to relocate Gimpo Airport, proposed by Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party candidate running in the Incheon Gyeyang by-election, has emerged as a late variable in the local elections. On the 31st, the appearance of the Gimpo Airport domestic terminal. / Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@
An aviation industry official explained, "From a long-term perspective, relocation and integration seem to be the right trend. As Incheon Airport expands, it is expected to cover the volume from Gimpo, and since the distance between Incheon and Gimpo is not very far, it appears quite feasible."
On the other hand, there are opinions that the pledge does not consider the commercial districts and workers around Gimpo Airport. Another aviation industry official said, "Looking at the commercial district of Gyeyang-gu itself, many areas were formed because of Gimpo Airport, so it is questionable whether this pledge considers those people. Although Gimpo and Incheon airports are close, the fact remains that they are about an hour apart, which affects accessibility," emphasizing the point.
However, the industry commonly expressed that the pledge seems to have been proposed without sufficient consideration. Airports need to take into account various factors such as surrounding facilities and transportation networks, but it appears that such considerations were lacking.
An industry official stated, "Airports are not just about building runways and facilities. Infrastructure such as accommodation and transportation networks must be developed, which requires ample time and research." He added, "It seems like a hastily proposed pledge in terms of timing."
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