International Passengers Drop to Half of Pre-COVID-19 Levels
The number of passengers using 14 airports nationwide, including Gimpo Airport (excluding Incheon International Airport), is expected to reach 12.65 million this year.
Korea Airports Corporation held a press briefing hosted by the Glocal Business Division on the 30th, stating that passenger demand this year will increase by 10.87 million compared to last year. This is 62.2% of the 2019 level.
From January 1 to the 20th of this month, the corporation reported that the number of international passengers at 14 airports nationwide, excluding Incheon International Airport, was 2.211 million, which is 46.9% of the same period in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Looking at major airports, Gimpo Airport recorded 454,800 passengers, recovering to 48.1% of the same period in 2019. Gimhae Airport had 1.338 million passengers, reaching 57.7%, and Jeju Airport had 97,000 passengers, at 20.4%. The corporation explained that since international flights resumed at the 14 airports nationwide in October last year, passenger numbers have been steadily increasing.
The Glocal Business Division cited inbound attraction to stimulate domestic demand and overseas business promotion as key projects for this year. First, to generate demand for visits from China, they plan to invite local Chinese travel agencies and media to introduce regional tourist destinations. They also plan to hold familiarization tours and regional airport briefings.
Shin Yong-gu, head of the Glocal Business Division, said, "To increase demand between the two countries, we will install photo booths for mutual cross-tourism promotion between Beijing Airport and Korea Airports Corporation," adding, "We will also promote overseas publicity related to the restoration of the visa-free entry system for Chinese group tourists at Jeju Airport."
In addition, efforts will be made to attract inbound tourists to stimulate domestic demand. ▲Develop travel products linked to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's 'Top 100 Korean Tourism Events' and 'Regional K-pop Concerts,' and promote travel product exhibitions using OTAs ▲Provide discounts on airport facility usage fees for newly launched airlines and chartered tourist flights ▲Offer incentives for foreign visitors arriving at regional airports ▲Operate customized tourist information centers at Gimhae and Yangyang Airports, develop local culture and exhibition content to promote airports as attractions ▲Expand airport access transportation in cooperation with local governments.
Furthermore, overseas business will continue to be promoted. Currently, Korea Airports Corporation has secured 18 overseas projects in 13 countries. They have successfully completed 13 projects and are currently conducting 5 projects in Peru, Paraguay, Colombia, and others. This year, the focus is on Laos and the South American region. Shin said, "The Luang Prabang Airport development project in Laos successfully completed a feasibility study last year," adding, "We will make every effort to secure airport development and operation rights projects this year."
Along with this, they plan to discover linked projects based on secured projects in Colombia, Peru, and other countries. Through this, they aim to expand their business area to Central America and secure performance and expertise covering the entire Latin American market.
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