Incheon International Airport (IATA:ICN,ICAO:RKSI) is the maininternational airport servingSouth Korea, located in the capital ofSeoul. It is also one of the largest and busiest airports in the world.[4][5]
Incheon International Airport is located west ofIncheon's city center, on an artificially created piece of land betweenYeongjong and Yongyu Islands. A shallow sea originally separated the two islands. That area between the two islands wasreclaimed for the construction project, effectively connecting the once-separate Yeongjong and Yongyu islands. The reclaimed area and the two islands are all part of Jung-gu, an administrative district of Incheon. The airport has 111 boarding gates altogether, with 44 in Terminal 1, 30 in Concourse A (connected to Terminal 1), and 37 in Terminal 2.[6]
This airport was constructed to share the demand for air transport in the 21st century and to serve as a hub airport in Northeast Asia.[7]
Location of Incheon International Airport on reclaimed land joiningYeongjong and Yongyu Islands
International air traffic to South Korea increased after the1988 Summer Olympics. In the 1990s, it became apparent thatGimpo International Airport could not cope with the increased air traffic. The government decided to build a new international airport to reduce the load on Gimpo International Airport.
The new airport was originally planned to be located inCheongju, 124 km (77 mi) southeast of Seoul, but due to its distance, it was opposed by Seoul and Gyeonggi citizens.[citation needed]Hwaseong, the other choice, was also rejected due to similar reasons. Finally, the area chosen wasIncheon.[when?]
In November 1992, the construction of the Incheon airport began on reclaimed land between Yeongjong Island and Youngyu Island. It took eight years to finish, with an additional six months for testing. Completion was initially scheduled for 1997 but delayed due tothe Asian economic crisis.[8] The airport was officially opened on 21 March 2001.[9]
On 15 November 2006, anAirbus A380 landed at the airport as part of the first leg of its certification trip.[10] Tests on the runways, taxiways, and ramps showed that the airport is fully capable of handling the A380.
To further upgrade service, Incheon and a major Korean logistics firmHanjin Group (parent company ofKorean Air) agreed on 10 January 2008, to build Yeongjong Medical Centre, which was completed in 2012.[11] This hospital serves nearby residents and some 30,000medical tourists who come to Korea annually.[12]
Located 48 km (30 mi) west ofSeoul, the capital and the largest city of South Korea, Incheon International Airport is the main hub forKorean Air,Asiana Airlines,Jeju Air, andPolar Air Cargo. The airport is a hub for international civilian air transportation and cargo traffic in East Asia. In 2016, the Incheon International Airport was the fifth-busiestairport in the world andthird in Asia by cargo traffic, and19th in the world andeighth in Asia by passenger traffic.
In 2016, the airport served a total of 57,849,814 passengers.[13]
The airport was originally planned to be built in three phases, incrementally increasing airport capacity as the demand grew. This was changed, however, to four phases after the airport was opened.
In Phase 1, the airport had a capacity of 30 million passengers annually, and a cargo capacity of 2,700,000 tonnes annually.[14] In this phase, a passenger terminal with a floor space of 496,000 square metres (5,338,900 sq ft), two parallel runways, a control tower, an administrative building, a transportation centre (the Integrated Transportation Centre, designed byTerry Farrell and Partners andSamoo Architects & Engineers), an integrated operations centre, three cargo terminals, international business centre, and a government office building were constructed.[15]
Phase 2 construction began in 2002 and was originally expected to be completed in December 2008. However, in an attempt to have the airport ready for the2008 Beijing Olympics, which took place in August 2008, the schedule was modified, and Phase 2 construction was completed on 20 June 2008. During this construction phase, a third parallel 4,000-metre-long (13,123 ft 4 in) runway and a 13-hectare (32.1-acre) cargo terminal area was added. A 16.5-hectare (40.8-acre) concourse connected to the main passenger building via two parallel 870-metre-long (2,854 ft 4 in) underground passageways were added, with aMitsubishi Crystal Mover shuttle trainAPM shuttling passengers between the concourse and the main terminal.[16]
Many long-distance foreign carriers were moved to the new concourse, with Korean Air and Asiana Airlines continuing to use the existing terminal.[citation needed]
TheSouth Korean government invested₩4 trillion until 2017 to expand Incheon International Airport. The second passenger terminal was constructed in the northern field of the airport, and its existing cargo terminal and other infrastructures were expanded. The terminals are connected by the underground "Starline" train. Also, a Landside Connecting system (Bus shuttle) is used for airport employees and departing passengers who don't come to the right terminal. After completion, Incheon International Airport can handle 62 million passengers and 5,800,000 tonnes (5,708,398 long tons; 6,393,406 short tons) of cargo a year, up from the previous capacity of 44 million passengers and 4,500,000 tonnes (4,428,929 long tons; 4,960,401 short tons). Construction began in 2011 and was completed in 2017. The terminal opened on 18 January 2018. Incheon's expansion also includes adding more aprons to park planes and extending a railway line to the city center of Seoul about 70 kilometres (43 mi) away from the airport. The airport also signed an agreement to build a resort called "Inspire" which includes 6-star hotels, theme parks, and a casino.[17]
Between 2017 and 2024, a fourth construction phase at the airport was taking place. There was an expansion of Terminal 2, the building of a fourth runway and additional apron and car parking facilities.[18] Following completion of the works, it is expected that the hourly flight capacity of the airport will increase from 90 to 107.[19] The 4th runway opened first on 17 June 2017 and phase 4 construction fully completed later on 3 December 2024.[20]
There are long-term plans for a fifth runway and a third terminal to handle low-cost carriers.[21]
Terminal 1 (measuring 496,000 square metres (5,338,900 sq ft)) is the largestairport terminal by area in South Korea. Terminal 1 was designed byCurtis W. Fentress, FAIA, RIBA ofFentress Architects. It is 1,060 metres (3,480 ft) long, 149 metres (489 ft) wide, and 33 metres (108 ft) high. Its construction cost was 5.632 trillion South Korean Won.[22] The terminal has 47 boarding ports (all of which can accommodate the Airbus A380), 50 customs inspection ports, 2 biological quarantine counters, 6 stationary and 14 portable passenger quarantine counters, 120 arrival passport inspection counters, 8 arrival security ports, 28 departure security ports, 252 check-in counters, and 120 departure passport inspection counters. In 2015, an automatic check-in counter lane was introduced, which people travelling viaKorean Air,Asiana Airlines andChina Southern Airlines can use. Instead of having airport staff at the counter, there is a machine where travellers input their flight information, scan their passports, receive their flight tickets and lastly, load the luggage onto the conveyor. This system was planned to be introduced in Terminal 2, but in May 2015, Incheon Airport used one of the counter islands for the unmanned luggage handling system.[23]
The passenger concourse was completed at the end of May 2008. It is connected to Terminal 1 by two parallel 870-metre-long (2,850 ft) underground passageways equipped with IATs (Intra Airport Transit). It has 32 gates and six lounges.[26]
^1 Korean Air's service between Busan and Incheon is available only to connecting passengers flying with the airline internationally.[240] ^2 Korean Air's service between Daegu and Incheon is available only to connecting passengers flying with the airline internationally.[241]
On 16 June 2011, anAirbus A321-200, operating asAsiana Airlines Flight 324 betweenChengdu Shuangliu International Airport, China and Incheon International Airport, was fired upon by two soldiers of theRepublic of Korea Marine Corps as it came in to land at Incheon. A total of 99 rounds were discharged at the aircraft, which was out of range and it made a safe landing without sustaining any damage. The soldiers had misidentified the aircraft as belonging to the North Korean military and were acting on orders that permitted them to engage without reference to senior officers, following theBombardment of Yeonpyeong in November 2010.[251]
For departing passengers,Seoul Station City Airport Terminal offersin-town early check-in service and has related immigration services before arriving at the airport. Seoul Station City Airport Terminal is the only available place in Seoul where in-town check-in service is provided. That is sinceCALT closed its in-town check-in operation at Gangnam in 2023.[252]
TheKorea Train eXpress (KTX) operated at the same station as AREX but used a different platform. It operated 20 times per day from the airport; twelve times on theGyeongbu Line, twice on theGyeonjeon Line, four times on theHonam Line, and twice on theJeolla Line. The service started in 2014 but was suspended in March 2018 due to low ridership.[253] The suspension became permanent in September 2018 as the line was officially closed.[254][255]
TheIncheon Airport Maglev opened on 3 February 2016 and closed on 1 September 2023.[256] The first phase was to be 6.1 km long, spread over six stations (but eight stations were built, spanning more than 8 km), taking riders from the airport toward the southwest of the island where a water park is located. Phase 2 was to be 9.7 km long, extending the line to the northwest of the island. Phase 3 would have added 37.4 km, transforming the line into a circle.[257][258][259] After converting the tracks from Maglev to orbital tram tracks,[260] service is expected to resume from March 2024.[261]
Airport shuttle buses transport passengers between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Buses are free, arrive every 5 to 8 minutes, take approximately 20 minutes of travel time, and stop at the Hyatt Hotel or airport fire station en route, depending on direction. Airport buses are called limousine buses. Standard limousine buses travel to Gimpo Airport &Songjeong station. Intercity buses connect with other towns and cities in Korea. TheCity Air Logistics & Transportation company runs an airport bus line directly connected to the bus station atCOEX, Gangnam.[262]
A ferry service connects Yeongjong-do to the mainland. However, the dock is located a considerable distance from the airport. An alternative means of transport must be sought upon arriving at the island to be able to get to the airport.[263]
The airport provides a short-term parking lot for 4,000 cars and a long-term parking lot for 6,000 cars. Shuttle services connect the long-term parking lot to the passenger terminal and the cargo terminal. Car rental is located near the long-term parking lot. A link to the mainland is provided by the tollYeongjong Bridge and anexpressway. A second expressway on theIncheon Bridge also connects the island to centralIncheon.
It is connected to theIncheon Bridge and the2nd Gyeongin Expressway. Airport limousine buses, which have been operating since the day Incheon International Airport opened, and many visitors in private cars use this road. When the 3rd Yeonyukgyo Bridge opens in 2025, a general road connecting to theGyeongin Expressway, Incheon Airport will be accessible by two-wheeled vehicles and on foot.
In 2017, the airport was the world's fourth busiest airport by cargo traffic and third in Asia,[264] and the world's 19th busiest airport by passenger traffic and ninth in Asia.[265] In 2019, the airport served a total of 70,857,908 passengers.
^4 As a general rule,Hong Kong is strictly separated fromMacau because of historical reasons. However, the distance between the two cities is very short and alsoeconomical, cultural exchanges are so active. Thus, this table ties together for convenience.
SingerIU (left) was appointed as promotional envoy of Incheon International Airport Customs for 2025 and actorPark Bo-gum (right) was appointed as honorary ambassador for the airport from 2025 to 2028
In August 2025, singer-actressIU was named promotional envoy for Incheon Airport customs.[266] In September 2025, the Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC) announced that they have appointed actorPark Bo-gum as honorary ambassador.[267] On Park's three-year honorary ambassadorship, the IIAC's president Lee Hak-jae said, "By appointing actor Park Bo-gum, a representative 'story maker' in the entertainment industry who possesses acting skills, star quality, and character, as an honorary ambassador, we expect that this will enhance Incheon Airport's brand value both domestically and internationally and further activate communication with the public."[268]
TheSims 4 team releasedThe Sims 4: Incheon Arrivals kit, inspired by the fashion at the Incheon airport.[269]
Scenes in seasons 1 and 2 ofSquid Game were filmed in Incheon International Airport.[270] During the filming of the season 2 scenes, there was alleged mistreatment towards members of the public from the production staff, causing the production company to release an apology.[271]
As of 2024, the airport has been rated bySkytrax as the third-best airport in the world. Skytrax has also rated the airport as the world'sbest international transit airport and one of the world'scleanest airports. The airport is one of Skytrax's 5-star airports and has also been awarded for the best airport security in 2021.[272][273][274][275]
^에어서울, 인천~중국 장자제 직항편 3년 만에 운항 재개 [Air Seoul, resumes direct flights from Incheon to China for the first time in three years].ChosunBiz (in Korean). 28 April 2023. Retrieved28 April 2023.
^[단독] 日 나가사키 하늘길 5년 7개월 만에 부활…대한항공 10월 27일 취항 [[Exclusive] Nagasaki route reopen after 5 years and 7 months...Korean Air launches on 27 October] (in Korean). The Guru News. 22 August 2024.
^스위스국제항공 재취항… 27년만에 직항길 열렸다 [Swiss International Airlines relaunch to Seoul... A direct flight opened for the first time in 27 years] (in Korean). Kyeongin News. 4 February 2024.
^"티웨이항공, 국내 LCC 첫 유럽 크로아티아 정기노선 취항" [T'way Air launches its first regular flight to Croatia in Europe for Korean LCC] (in Korean). EBN News. 14 February 2024.
^abcCom, Segye (21 June 2022).인천공항공사, 국내 최초로 저비용 항공사 화물기 유치 [Incheon International Airport Corporation Will Be the First Low-Cost Cargo Carrier in Korea].Segye Ilbo (in Korean). Segye News.
^강, 다은 (2 February 2023).강남 도심공항터미널, 33년 만에 결국 폐쇄 [Gangnam City Airport Terminal permanently closes its business after 33 years].The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Seoul. Retrieved13 May 2024.
^Medimorec, Nikola (10 June 2018)."Incheon Airport KTX Service Suspended".Kojects.Archived from the original on 22 September 2020. Retrieved9 July 2018.In 2014, Korail began to offer KTX high-speed train connections from Incheon International Airport to Seoul, Daegu, Busan and other cities in Korea. The Incheon Airport KTX service was suspended at the end of March 2018. The main reason was that the demand was too low and ridership stayed far below necessary numbers.
^박, 재균 (7 August 2018).9월부터 인천공항 KTX 노선 폐지.FNToday (in Korean).Archived from the original on 22 September 2020. Retrieved10 August 2018.
^민, 경석 (7 August 2018).2014년 개통한 '인천공항 KTX' 폐지.News1 (in Korean).Archived from the original on 10 August 2018. Retrieved10 August 2018.
^Medimorec, Nikola (28 January 2012)."Maglev at Incheon International Airport to be completed this year".Kojects.Archived from the original on 8 May 2019. Retrieved10 July 2018.Two more stages of construction are planned for the line; stage two is a 9.7 km extension that continues from Yongyoo Station, past the planned Marine World and up to Dragon City. Though this stage was originally scheduled to be completed in time for the Asian Games, setbacks in the development of neighboring projects are still causing delays. The final stage will be significantly longer, a 37.4 km extension that continues around the outer rim of the island and loops back to the airport.
^Han, Woojin.영종자기부상열차 2단계.미래철도DB (in Korean).Archived from the original on 22 September 2020. Retrieved9 July 2018.
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