Korea Airports Corporation "Expecting 8.54 Million International Passengers Next Year... Exploring US and Europe Routes"

Yoon Hyung-jung, President of Korea Airports Corporation, explaining at a press conference held on the 15th at the headquarters in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Korea Airports Corporation

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunseok Yoo] Korea Airports Corporation is set to establish airport safety and security systems in response to the explosive increase in air passenger demand expected next year. In particular, it plans to enhance the convenience of airport users by pioneering routes to the United States and Europe.

On the 15th, at a press briefing held at the Korea Airports Corporation headquarters in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, the corporation announced that it will fully implement its ESSG management strategy next year and establish safety membranes at 14 airports nationwide, including Gimpo, Jeju, and Gimhae.

ESSG is Korea Airports Corporation’s management strategy that separates Safety from the Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) framework. Especially as air passenger demand is expected to surge next year, the corporation plans to concretize revenue recovery.

In celebration of the 2023?2024 Visit Korea Year, Korea Airports Corporation will make every effort to attract inbound tourists. Through this, it aims to restore international passengers next year to 8.54 million, which is 42% of the pre-COVID-19 figure of 20.32 million.

In particular, it will improve conditions for new route launches by establishing incentives specialized for each airport, focusing on seven international airports including Gimpo, Gimhae, Jeju, Daegu, and Cheongju. Additionally, it plans to revitalize these seven international airports and increase inbound tourism by linking local airports with tourist attractions and K-content experiences.

The corporation plans to proactively prepare for China’s easing of quarantine measures and reopening of air routes, which represents the largest air travel demand. To attract business and group tourists, it will conduct active on-site marketing by visiting Beijing Capital Airport Group.

Furthermore, to usher in the full-fledged glocal era of regional airports, it will focus on pioneering long-haul routes from Gimhae Airport to the U.S. West Coast and Europe. Accordingly, earlier this month, the corporation launched the ‘Gimhae International Airport Long-Haul Route Attraction Council’ with Busan City, Busan Tourism Organization, and Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It also plans to work on route development with major U.S. airlines Delta, American, and United, as well as European airlines such as LOT Polish Airlines and Finnair.

To provide a better customer experience for airport users, it will introduce the ‘KAC Online Duty-Free Shop’ for the first time. By establishing a contactless smart duty-free platform, it plans to launch a differentiated online duty-free shop next year where customers can enjoy preferred brands at attractive prices.

Additionally, to strengthen the airport’s core functions, it will offer various contactless smart airport services. It will actively link identity verification procedures using biometric information with financial sector data to enhance customer convenience. The use of biometric information will gradually expand, connecting One-ID biometric pass information to broaden the digital experience.

President Yoon Hyung-jung emphasized, “We will provide a more differentiated customer experience through contactless smart technology accumulated over 40 years of leading Korea’s aviation industry. In celebration of the 2023?2024 Visit Korea Year, we will make every effort to attract inbound tourists and take the lead in opening the glocal era of regional airports.”