Minister Won Hee-ryong of Land, Infrastructure and Transport: "Actively Considering Multiple Cargo Terminals at TK New Airport"

Lee Cheol-woo Proposes "Uiseong Cargo Terminal Construction"

5.5 Billion KRW Invested for 55,000㎡ Facility

Gyeongbuk Governor Lee Cheol-woo met with Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong on the 13th to propose urgent matters for a ‘successful regional airport,’ including the additional construction of a cargo terminal at Daegu-Gyeongbuk New Airport.

Governor Lee stated, “It is a global trend to operate passenger terminals and cargo terminals separately, as seen in Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok and the U.S. Memphis Airport,” and added, “A ‘passenger aircraft-only cargo terminal (Gunwi)’ without logistics functions in the hinterland logistics complex is insufficient as a logistics airport, making a ‘cargo aircraft-only cargo terminal (Uiseong)’ an essential facility for developing into an economic logistics airport.” He strongly urged the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to reflect multiple terminals in the establishment of the ‘Daegu-Gyeongbuk Airport Basic Plan.’

Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong (right) is receiving a request from Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongbuk Province, to establish a cargo-only terminal in Uiseong.

The ‘cargo aircraft-only cargo terminal’ to be built in Uiseong is planned to cover an area of 55,000㎡ including the apron, terminal, and parking lot, with an 800m taxiway and a 1,600m cargo terminal access road. The total project cost is expected to be around 260 billion KRW.

Governor Lee emphasized, “In the case of Memphis Airport in the U.S., it serves as the super hub for FedEx, a global express company, with more than 130 global companies from 22 countries located in the surrounding logistics centers,” and added, “The cargo aircraft-only cargo terminal will be an essential facility for developing into an economic logistics airport.”

Additionally, Governor Lee proposed designating the Uiseong Airport New Town, to be constructed in 2030, as a ‘national pilot smart city.’

National pilot smart cities include Hapgang-dong in Sejong City and Eco Delta City in Busan, and according to Article 35 of the ‘Smart City Act,’ the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport can designate national pilot cities.

During the meeting, Minister Won Hee-ryong responded, “We will actively include and review Governor Lee Cheol-woo’s proposal for multiple cargo terminals at Daegu-Gyeongbuk New Airport in the basic plan.”

Governor Lee Cheol-woo said, “We have sufficiently consulted with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport regarding the construction of the cargo aircraft-only cargo terminal, and the Ministry fully understands the multiple terminal installation plan and will include it in the basic plan for review,” adding, “In case any issues arise at Incheon Airport, it can be sufficiently used as an alternative airport, so we need to create space capable of handling a large volume of logistics. Looking to the future, there must be two cargo terminals.”

He continued, “National issues such as the construction of Daegu-Gyeongbuk New Airport require cooperation between the central and local governments as the key to project success,” and added, “Gyeongbuk Province will do its best to ensure that a world-class economic logistics airport can be built through mutual cooperation among related organizations including the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of National Defense, and Daegu City.”