In Response to Growing Air Travel Demand... Increased Bus Services from Seoul and Gyeonggi to Airports

Stepwise Increase in Bus Services Starting March
Total of 892 Additional Buses by End of September
Partial Resumption of Late-Night Bus Operations

The government has decided to increase the number of airport buses in Seoul and the Gyeonggi area in response to the growing domestic air travel demand. By the end of September this year, it plans to add 892 more bus trips between Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon and Gimpo airports in consultation with relevant local governments and agencies.

On the 15th, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that, in coordination with Seoul City, Gyeonggi Province, Incheon International Airport Corporation, and Korea Airports Corporation, the number of airport buses in Seoul and the Gyeonggi area will be increased by a total of 574 trips by the end of June and 892 trips by the end of September. This measure takes into account that the current number of airport bus operations is at 45% of pre-COVID levels, which is lower than the international passenger recovery rate (61.2%).

Accordingly, airport bus operations are expected to expand to 1,702 trips by June and 2,020 trips by September. Currently, Seoul routes operate 28 lines with 611 trips (Incheon Airport 539, Gimpo Airport 72). By June, 11 lines will resume operation and 367 trips on existing lines will be added, totaling 39 lines with 978 trips (Incheon Airport 831, Gimpo Airport 147).

Major increased routes by June include △6001 (Dongdaemun) with 18 trips, △6300 (Myeongil-dong) with 18 trips, △6013 (Gwangjin-gu) with 15 trips, and △6011 (Seongbuk-gu) with 12 trips. Additionally, 11 previously non-operating lines such as 6005 (Insadong) with 12 trips will resume service.

For Gyeonggi routes, currently 38 lines operate 517 trips (Incheon Airport 373, Gimpo Airport 144). By June, two lines will resume operation and 207 trips on existing lines will be added, totaling 40 lines with 724 trips (Incheon Airport 556, Gimpo Airport 168).

Major increased routes by June include △4200 (Anyang·Gunpo) with 18 trips, △7000 (Ansan) with 16 trips, and △4100 (Yeongtong) with 18 trips. Two previously non-operating lines, 7100 (Jeongok) with 4 trips will resume from April, and 8928 (Yeoju) with 1 trip will resume from March.

Furthermore, to normalize airport bus operations, Seoul City plans to provide 2.5 billion KRW in operating loss subsidies to four airport bus companies under its jurisdiction this year, following last year. Incheon International Airport Corporation also plans to expand loss support for late-night airport buses.

Accordingly, to ensure that airport users are not inconvenienced during late-night hours when public transportation is unavailable, Seoul airport buses N6000 (Gangnam Terminal), N6001 (Seoul Station), and N6002 (Gangnam Terminal, Seoul Station), which had not been operating, will also resume service.

Kim Young-guk, Director of Aviation Policy at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, said, "To alleviate inconveniences for airport users, we will continuously inspect and manage airport buses in cooperation with local governments to ensure smooth operation, and improve airport access transportation by expanding late-night routes."