Cheongju Airport Surpasses 4.66 Million Passengers Last Year, Setting All-Time Record

Surpassing 4 Million Passengers for Two Consecutive Years

Cheongju International Airport, the central hub airport for the central region, achieved a record high in annual passengers last year.

According to aviation statistics from Korea Airports Corporation released on January 9, the total number of passengers using Cheongju International Airport in 2025 reached 4,669,956. This marks the second consecutive year that the airport has surpassed 4 million passengers, following 4,579,221 in 2024, and is the highest figure since the airport opened in 1997.

Cheongju International Airport. Photo by Yonhap News

The diversification of international routes was the driving force behind this record. Last year, Cheongju International Airport operated a total of 36 routes to 10 countries, with 1,942,061 passengers using these international flights. This surpassed the previous record of 1,468,685 international passengers in 2024-the first time the airport exceeded 1 million international travelers-setting a new all-time high. Based on these achievements, North Chungcheong Province assessed that Cheongju International Airport has firmly established itself as one of the 'Top 4 Regional Airports' in Korea, alongside Gimhae, Gimpo, and Jeju.

Meanwhile, Daegu Airport, which had been competing for a spot in the top four, has consistently lagged behind Cheongju International Airport since the COVID-19 pandemic. According to North Chungcheong Province, last year’s performance also surpassed Daegu Airport’s previous annual record of 4,669,057 passengers set in 2019.

In response to rising passenger demand, Cheongju International Airport has been expanding its facilities. Last year, eight new food and beverage establishments-including Korean restaurants, fast food outlets, and cafes-opened inside the passenger terminal. In addition, the construction of a second parking building, expansion of the passenger terminal, and the addition of more aircraft stands are also planned.

Furthermore, if projects such as the Chungcheong Region Metropolitan Express Railway (CTX), the high-speed upgrade of the Chungbuk Line, the Cheonan-Cheongju Airport double-track railway, the Jamsil-Cheongju Airport metropolitan railway, the Yeongdong-Ochang (Jincheon) expressway, and the Ochang-Goesan expressway are realized, Cheongju International Airport’s accessibility is expected to improve significantly.