Record Number of Passengers Expected at Incheon Airport on August 1
Special Measures Implemented for Summer Peak Season
During this summer peak season, it is expected that an average of 228,000 passengers per day will use Incheon Airport.
Last July, the departure hall of Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 was bustling with crowds heading overseas for travel. Photo by Jo Yongjun
According to Incheon International Airport Corporation on July 17, from July 25 to August 10, over a period of 17 days, the number of passengers using Incheon Airport is expected to reach 3,872,000, averaging 228,000 per day.
The busiest day is anticipated to be August 1, with 238,000 passengers expected to use Incheon Airport. This figure is about 2,000 more than the previous busiest day, which saw 236,000 passengers on November 29 last year.
During the peak season, the corporation plans to open some departure halls at Terminals 1 and 2 30 minutes to 1 hour earlier than usual. Additionally, new X-ray machines and other equipment will be added to Departure Hall 1 of Terminal 2, increasing the maximum screening capacity per hour from 5,500 to 6,000 passengers.
The corporation will also deploy 67 additional screening staff and assign 120 to 160 short-term personnel. Dedicated departure halls and screening lanes will be operated for Smart Pass users. To enhance convenience, 144 self bag-drop machines will be inspected in advance, and 58 guidance staff will be deployed.
During the peak season, a total of 87 stores in Terminals 1 and 2 will operate 24 hours a day. This includes 18 duty-free shops, 55 food and beverage outlets and lounges, and 14 service facilities such as currency exchanges. In addition, 14 new commercial facilities will open.
Incheon Airport announced that 36.36 million passengers used the airport in the first half of this year, marking the highest first-half performance since its opening. This represents a 6.1% increase compared to the same period last year, when 34.28 million passengers were recorded. In particular, the number of passengers on Japan routes reached 9.34 million, a 9.3% increase from the previous year, while China routes surged by 24.3% to 5.75 million passengers.
Special summer transportation measures will also be implemented at airports nationwide. Korea Airports Corporation expects 24,067 flights to operate from July 25 to August 10, with 4.31 million passengers using the airports. The highest passenger traffic is expected at Gimpo Airport on July 25, Gimhae Airport on July 26, and Jeju Airport on August 4.
The corporation plans to reduce check-in wait times by opening check-in counters early, maximizing the operation of ID check and security screening lanes, and flexibly operating departure inspection counters. To address parking shortages, 5,910 temporary parking spaces will be secured, and on-site staff will be increased by 40 compared to normal, bringing the total to 2,046 personnel.
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