Yoon Hyeong-jung, President of Korea Airports Corporation: "Transform Gimpo Airport into a Business-Centered Airport"

Providing Customized Services for Business Passengers
Creating Complex Cultural Spaces and Revitalizing Korea-China-Japan Routes

Yoon Hyung-jung, President of Korea Airports Corporation, unveiled a blueprint to transform Gimpo Airport into an airport optimized for business routes on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Gimpo-Haneda route.

President Yoon made this announcement on the 30th at a commemorative event celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Gimpo-Haneda route at the Gimpo Airport international terminal. The event was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Embassy of Japan in Korea, Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways (ANA), and resident organizations at Gimpo Airport.

Yoon Hyung-jung, President of Korea Airports Corporation, is delivering a commemorative speech at the '20th Anniversary Ceremony of the Gimpo-Haneda Route Operation' held at Gimpo Airport International Terminal on the 30th.
[Photo by Korea Airports Corporation]

At the event, President Yoon reflected on the 20-year growth story of Gimpo Airport and spoke about innovating into a ‘Biz+port’ to leap forward as a globally competitive airport. First, optimized business services will be introduced at the airport. A dedicated fast track will be created for the convenience of business passengers during immigration and customs. Premium lounges and shared offices will be established, and services such as biometric authentication payment systems will be implemented.

The airport will also serve as a complex cultural space. It plans to offer services such as pet pickup and care services and a pet park, which are the first of their kind at a domestic airport, as well as K-pop performances and book concerts. Routes connecting economic hubs beyond the capitals of Korea, China, and Japan will also be activated. In addition to the existing BeSeTo (Beijing-Seoul-Tokyo) route, flights connecting Shanghai-Seoul-Osaka will operate to proactively prepare for the 2025 Osaka Expo.

Meanwhile, the Gimpo-Haneda route is the most symbolic route of Gimpo Airport, which celebrated its 65th anniversary this year. After the opening of Incheon Airport in 2001, international flights at Gimpo Airport were suspended but resumed in 2003. As the shortest time and distance route connecting the two capitals, it has transported approximately 30 million passengers over the past 20 years.

President Yoon said, “Based on the experience of the past 20 years, we will realize the innovation of Gimpo Airport into a ‘Biz+port’ and achieve a quantum jump in the post-COVID era.”