30 Aircraft for Heads of State
150,000 International Passengers During the Summit
Full Mobilization Led by Acting President Lee Jungki
Supporting the Event from Early Morning Until Midnight
Replacement Staff Deployed Amid Labor Strike
The successful hosting of the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, was made possible thanks to the efforts of many individuals who worked diligently behind the scenes. In particular, Kimhae International Airport, the main gateway for the APEC event, was on high alert throughout the summit as it welcomed key leaders such as U.S. President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Kimhae International Airport created a welcoming atmosphere during the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit. Korea Airports Corporation
According to Korea Airports Corporation, which manages Kimhae Airport and other airports, around 30 dedicated aircraft carrying heads of state landed at Kimhae Airport for the APEC event. During the APEC period, from October 27 to 31, the number of international passengers at Kimhae Airport reached 148,776, an increase of 4,178 from the previous week. An official from the corporation stated, "It is remarkable that the number of international passengers at a regional airport increased by more than 4,000 in just one week."
From October 26 to November 3, approximately 280 Kimhae Airport employees and 50 dispatched personnel reported to work at dawn to ensure the smooth operation of the airport. The management team, including Acting President Lee Jungki and Operations Headquarters Director Son Jongha, also stayed at the airport from October 28 to 30. A manager who participated in the dispatch said, "We worked from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., and sometimes until midnight if things ran late," adding, "We reduced our sleep to support the event in line with the arrival and departure schedules of the heads of state."
On the 29th of last month, Lee Jungki, Acting President of Korea Airports Corporation (center), conducted an on-site inspection at Gimhae Airport. Korea Airports Corporation
Kimhae Airport's protocol office, in particular, was extremely busy. One country attending APEC urgently requested, just before landing, that 12 people be allowed to use the protocol lounge. Accommodating 12 guests at once in a small regional international airport's protocol lounge was unprecedented. In fact, advance notice had already been given that only six people-heads of state and their spouses, secretaries, security personnel, interpreters, and physicians-could use the lounge upon arrival.
Lee Jaewan, Director at Korea Airports Corporation in charge of protocol at Kimhae Airport, found himself in a dilemma just before the plane landed. While he wanted to accommodate as many guests as possible, overcrowding could disrupt immigration procedures. When a total of 12 people, including ministers and their secretaries and security staff, disembarked in addition to the six official delegates, the corporation decided to double the staff and provide protocol services to all of them at once. Director Lee said, "I was determined to ensure that visiting leaders would not experience any inconvenience at the airport during a national event," adding, "I encouraged the protocol and security staff to show what 'K-Airport' is capable of, even if it was tough for a moment, and for the first time in the airport's history, we were able to provide protocol services to 12 people simultaneously."
During the APEC event, there was also an unprecedented situation when the labor union of a subsidiary went on strike, but the staff responded calmly and with full effort. Jeong Jiuk, Head of Operations Planning at Kimhae Airport, commented, "Although workers responsible for tasks such as cleaning and parking joined the strike, we immediately deployed substitute personnel and were able to operate the airport stably."
Kimhae International Airport created a welcoming atmosphere during the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit. Korea Airports Corporation
To ensure the successful hosting of the APEC Summit, airports across the country, including Kimhae Airport, began preparations six months in advance. In May, Director Son established the "APEC Countermeasures Headquarters," and two months later in July, shared the preparation process, stating, "Kimhae Airport will be the main focus for APEC. We plan to expand the departure area and create a dedicated APEC passageway." Last month, a dedicated APEC departure hall, the second departure hall, was set up on the second floor of Kimhae Airport, covering an area of 656 square meters.
Korea Airports Corporation also set up a shuttle bus stop and waiting area on the first floor of Kimhae Airport's international terminal for transportation to Gyeongju Bomun Tourist Complex, improving convenience for domestic and international dignitaries and other participants. A temporary CIQ (quarantine, immigration, customs) facility was established at Pohang Gyeongju Airport, and the VIP lounges at Kimhae, Daegu, and Pohang Gyeongju airports were remodeled to better welcome guests.
Shuttle bus stop from Gimhae International Airport to Gyeongju Bomun Tourist Complex during the '2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit.' Korea Airports Corporation
Jeon Eunyoung, Manager of Landside Operations, who was responsible for APEC support at the corporation, said, "Large-scale international events like this are rare, so it was an opportunity for employees to gain new experience and expertise."
Incheon International Airport Corporation also supported the national event. To accommodate dedicated aircraft, additional apron space (aircraft parking) was secured, an APEC-only information desk was set up at Incheon Airport, and express bus routes to Gyeongju were increased.
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