"Only Creating a Sense of Inequality"... Incheon Airport's 'Hellish Wait Times' Prevents '5-Minute Departure' Case [Reportage]

Virtually No Waiting Burden at Departure Halls
Not Introduced in Korea Due to Concerns Over Inequality
"Premium Services Also Available in Hospitals and Schools"

Priority boarding procedures and premium in-flight seating for business and first-class passengers are services provided by airlines. However, some airports have adopted this premium concept at the airport level. Since the middle of last year, Istanbul Airport in Turkey has been operating the "iGA Pass," which includes services such as fast track, airport lounges, and buggies (transport vehicles for luggage).

Istanbul Airport in Turkey operates the "iGA Pass," which includes services such as fast track, airport lounges, and buggies (transport vehicles for luggage). Photo by Airport Photographers Group

On the afternoon of the 17th (local time), a measurement of the fast track waiting time using the iGA Pass at Istanbul Airport showed a total of 2 minutes and 15 seconds. Unlike in Korea, Istanbul Airport conducts security screening from the moment you enter the airport, and there was a 20-second wait before placing luggage on the inspection belt. Passport control took 17 seconds after the previous passenger completed their process, and for the carry-on baggage security check, there were three people ahead in line, resulting in a wait of 1 minute and 48 seconds.

Hong Seohyun, Deputy General Manager of Incheon International Airport Corporation, who is stationed at Istanbul Airport, said, "The maximum fast track waiting time is five minutes," adding, "There is a procedure to verify whether someone is an iGA Pass purchaser via QR code, and since there can be a surge of fast track users, a short wait may be necessary." Compared to Incheon Airport, where security screening alone can take about three hours during peak times, the waiting burden is virtually nonexistent.

On the afternoon of the 17th (local time), long lines formed at the international departure hall for passengers who did not use the fast track at Istanbul Airport in Turkey. Photo by Jeon Youngju

The iGA Pass is a brand named after "iGA," the private consortium responsible for the construction and operation of Istanbul Airport. Using only the fast track for passport control and carry-on baggage security checks costs 27 euros (44,823 won), while a daily package that includes all fast track services, lounge access, and buggies costs 110 euros. Annual packages, which add services such as duty-free discounts, additional users, city shuttle buses, valet, and parking, are available in the range of 499 to 999 euros.

Paid fast track services are also available at major airports such as Singapore Changi, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, Istanbul in Turkey, and Amsterdam Schiphol. However, Korea has not introduced them due to public opinion. An Incheon Airport official said, "Concerns were raised that it could create a sense of inequality among other passengers, so it was recently introduced only for the entry screening of foreign businesspeople."

On the 17th (local time), Aidin Berkin Senturk, iGA Product Marketing Specialist, introduced the 'iGA Pass' at Istanbul Airport in Turkey. Photo by Youngju Jeon

Aidin Berkin Senturk, iGA Marketing Specialist, said, "Premium services are already available in hospitals and schools in Turkey. At Istanbul Airport, services are provided free of charge to those with limited mobility, and some packages are offered at reasonable prices, making the system accessible to everyone."