Incheon International Airport reports that its passenger traffic has exceeded 50m for the first time since its opening and that it received 157,713 passengers a day (on average up to October this year); +17.7% from 134,021 a year earlier.

 

By the end of the year, approximately 57m people are expected to have used Incheon International Airport.

 

“More people than Korea’s population use Incheon International Airport in a year,” says IIAC. “Since opening in March 2001, Incheon International Airport has grown at a CAGR of 6.8%, rising from 20.92m in early 2002 to 49.28m last year.”

 

Chung Il-young, President of Incheon International Airport Corporation, said: “I am grateful to Incheon International Airport for the efforts of its citizens and airport families who have contributed to the growth of the airport as the centre of the global air network.

 

“We will accomplish the second leap toward ‘the world’s five major international airports’ based on the upgraded facilities and services along with the completion of the phased construction project. ”

 

 

When the second passenger terminal is completed at the end of next year during the third phase construction project, Incheon International Airport’s annual passenger capacity is expected to increase to 72m.

 

THE RISE OF LOW COST CARRIERS

The rapid increase in visitors can be attributed to the development of the aviation industry in Korea; especially the rapid growth of low cost airlines (LCC).

 

National and low-cost airlines’ share of the airport’s total passengers only accounted for 1.2% in early 2009, but grew to 15.9% in 2015 and is expected to reach 20% this year.

 

“The rapid growth of national and low-cost airlines creates new travel demand and contributes to the growth of Incheon International Airport,” said an official at IIAC.

 

“We will continue to cooperate with airlines to ensure continued growth, We will strengthen it further.”

 

 

AWARD-WINNING RETAIL

In addition, the airport says that for a fourth consecutive year its duty free shops have been voted the best by Chinese readers of the Business Traveler magazine.

 

The award, was voted for by subscribers to the China edition of Business Traveler – which number around ‘50,000’ – following a reader survey and was presented at the ‘Business Traveler China Awards’ held in Shanghai recently.

 

Chung Il-young added: “Incheon Airport Duty Free is constantly striving to provide differentiated experiences to its customers, and this award is a result of satisfaction with domestic cosmetics and food specialty stores, which are especially popular among Chinese customers.

 

“We will continue to do our best by gathering strength from our corporation and duty free shops so that we can keep the best duty free shop loved by passengers from all over the world.”