During Lunar New Year Holidays, Many Travel Abroad... Highest Number of Holiday Travelers Since COVID-19

An Average of 195,000 People Leave Daily During Seol Holiday

It is estimated that more than 195,000 travelers will use Incheon International Airport daily during this Lunar New Year holiday period. This is the highest number of travelers since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

On the 9th, Incheon International Airport Corporation announced that the average daily number of passengers at Incheon International Airport during the holiday period was 195,384. This represents a 53.2% increase compared to the average daily passengers during last year’s Lunar New Year holiday (127,537).

Many travelers have been flocking to Incheon International Airport since the 5th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

The day with the highest number of passengers during the holiday is expected to be the 12th, with 201,953 passengers visiting the airport. The daily passenger count of 200,000 surpasses the pre-COVID-19 level, exceeding the average daily passengers of 194,986 at Incheon Airport in 2019.

The day with the most departing passengers is expected to be the 9th (104,028 passengers), and the day with the most arriving passengers is expected to be the 12th (111,942 passengers).

Hana Tour reported that overseas travel bookings during the Lunar New Year holiday increased by about 106%. By region, Southeast Asia accounted for the largest share at 56%, followed by Japan at 26%, China at 7%, and Europe at 5%.

Modetour also saw an 85% increase in overseas travel bookings compared to last year’s Lunar New Year holiday. The booking shares were Southeast Asia at 52%, Japan at 25%, Americas & South Pacific at 13%, China at 9%, and Europe at 6%. Within Southeast Asia, the shares were Vietnam at 42%, Taiwan at 20%, Thailand at 19%, and the Philippines at 10%.

[Photo by Yonhap News]

As more travelers are expected than in previous years, the airport corporation has prepared traffic measures.

The departure and arrival halls will open 30 minutes earlier than usual to extend operating hours, and about 120 additional security screening personnel will be deployed to prevent congestion. Approximately 270 additional staff will be assigned to smart and self-service guidance.

To accommodate late-night travelers during the Lunar New Year holiday, the airport railroad will operate extended hours until 1 a.m. on the 11th and 12th. Public transportation services have been expanded, including a pilot operation of direct airport railroad trains during early morning hours and increased late-night airport bus services in the Gyeonggi region.

Not only Incheon Airport but also other airports nationwide are expected to see large crowds of travelers. Korea Airports Corporation announced that about 1.17 million people are expected to use airports across the country during this Lunar New Year holiday.