Incheon International Airport
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Incheon International Airport 인천국제공항 仁川國際空港 Incheon Gukje Gonghang Inch'ŏn Kukche Konghang | |||||||||||||||||||
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Summary | |||||||||||||||||||
Airport type | Public | ||||||||||||||||||
Owner | Government of South Korea | ||||||||||||||||||
Operator | Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC) | ||||||||||||||||||
Serves | Seoul Metro Area | ||||||||||||||||||
Location | Jung District, Incheon, South Korea | ||||||||||||||||||
Hub for | |||||||||||||||||||
Elevation AMSL | 23 ft / 7 m | ||||||||||||||||||
Website | www.airport.kr | ||||||||||||||||||
Map | |||||||||||||||||||
Runways | |||||||||||||||||||
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Helipads | |||||||||||||||||||
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Statistics (2012) | |||||||||||||||||||
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Statistics from IIAC[1] |
Incheon International Airport (IIA) (IATA: ICN, ICAO: RKSI) (Korean: 인천국제공항) is the largest airport in South Korea, the primary airport serving the Seoul National Capital Area, and one of the largest and busiest airports in the world. For seven years in a row (2005–2012), it was rated the best airport worldwide by Airports Council International.[2][3] The airport has a golf course, spa, private sleeping rooms, ice skating rink, a casino, indoor gardens and a Museum of Korean Culture. Airport authorities claim that average departure and arrival takes only 19 (60 minutes world-wide industry average) and 12 minutes (45 minutes) respectively, significantly lower than the rest of the world, making it one of the fastest airports in the world for customs processing.[2] Its duty-free shopping mall has been rated the world's best for three years in a row in 2012 by Business Traveler.[4] Incheon International Airport also claims that it has only a 0.0001% baggage mishandling rate.[5]
Located 48 km (30 mi) west of Seoul, the capital and largest city of South Korea, Incheon International Airport is the main hub for Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air, and Polar Air Cargo. The airport serves as a hub for international civilian air transportation and cargo traffic in East Asia. Incheon International Airport is also currently Asia's eighth busiest airport in terms of passengers, the world's fourth busiest airport by cargo traffic, and the world's eighth busiest airport in terms of international passengers in 2010. In 2011, 35,062,376 passengers used the airport.[6]
The airport opened for business in early 2001 to replace the older Gimpo International Airport, which now serves mostly domestic destinations plus shuttle flights to alternate airports in China, Japan, and Taiwan.
Overview
Incheon International Airport is located west of Incheon's city center, on an artificially created piece of land between Yeongjong and Yongyu islands. The two islands were originally separated by shallow sea. That area between the two islands was reclaimed for the construction project, effectively connecting the once separate Yeongjong and Yongyu islands. The reclaimed area as well as the two islands are all part of Jung-gu, an administrative district of Incheon.
It is connected to the mainland by Incheon International Airport Expressway (Expressway 130), a part of which is Yeongjong Bridge. The expressway also connects Gimpo International Airport to provide connections between domestic flight service with international air traffic, an advantage that makes it much easier to travel from southern Korean regions to Incheon, and then to airports all over the globe. Incheon Bridge serves as the second path to the southern part of Incheon city from October 2009. The airport is served by frequent bus service from all parts of South Korea as well as by traditional ferry service between Yeongjong pier and Incheon. Airport limousines operate around the clock from Seoul to Incheon, and several backup highway buses escort people from places within and outside Seoul.
The Incheon International Airport Railroad connects Incheon International Airport to Seoul Station in downtown Seoul. Non-Stop Express trains 43 minutes, and regular trains which stops at all stations takes 53 minutes to Seoul Station.
The airport holds an unbreakable record of being ranked the Best Airport Worldwide for 7 consecutive years by the Airports Council International (ACI)'s Airport Service Quality award from year 2005 to 2011, and was also rated the world's best among airports of its size (25-40m) and region (Asia-Pacific) in year 2012 due to the institution's decision to discontinue the Best Airport Worldwide category.
Seoul Incheon International Airport's terminal has 74 boarding gates altogether, with 44 in the main terminal and 30 in Concourse A.
History
After the Seoul Olympics of 1988, international air traffic to Korea increased. In the 1990s, it became apparent that Gimpo International Airport could not cope with the increase in air traffic. To reduce the load on Gimpo International Airport, construction of the Incheon airport began in November 1992. It was constructed on reclaimed land between Yeongjong Island and Youngyu Island, and took eight years to construct, with an additional six months to test. The airport was officially opened in March 2001.
Initially, there were numerous problems, mostly involving baggage handling, which required the system to be operated semi-automatically. Most of the problems were fixed within a month, and the airport began to operate normally.
Air traffic increased markedly, and by early 2002, it became apparent that the airport would be saturated by 2006. As a result, the construction of the second phase was initiated in February 2002. Originally, the construction was supposed to have ended by December 2008. Due to the Beijing Olympics in 2008, however, the construction schedule was modified to allow the construction to end by July 2008.
On 15 November 2006, the Airbus A380 landed at the airport as part of the first leg of its certification trip. Tests on the runways, taxiways, and ramps showed that the airport could handle the aircraft.
To further upgrade service, Incheon and major Korean logistics firm Hanjin Corporation (parent company of the Korean Flag Carrier, Korean Air) agreed on 10 January 2008 to build a nine-story hospital near the airport. Once construction is complete in 2011, the Yeongjong Medical Centre is expected to serve nearby residents and some of Korea's annual 30,000 medical tourists.[7]
Timeline
- February 1992: Master plan is approved
- November 1992: Phase I construction and site preparation are initiated
- July 1994: North and south dikes are completed
- March 1996: Formally named Incheon International Airport
- May 1996: Passenger terminal construction is initiated
- December 1996: Runway construction is initiated
- 30 June 2000: Construction of basic components is completed
- July 2000: Test operations begin
- November 2000: Opening date is announced
- 29 March 2001: Airport officially opens
- February 2002: Phase II construction starts
- November 2002: New passenger airline parking stands constructed (Phase 2)
- October 2003: Construction of new cargo terminal is initiated (Phase 2)
- November 2003: Intra Airport Transit (IAT) system construction is initiated (Phase 2)
- December 2003: Third runway construction is initiated (Phase 2)
- June 2004: Passenger concourse construction is initiated (Phase 2)
- April 2005: Final construction of passenger concourse (Phase 2)
- March 2007: Airport railroad starts operation
- June 2008: Phase II construction is completed
Construction stages
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.
Phase 1
In Phase 1, the airport had a capacity of 30 million passengers per year, and a cargo capacity of 1.7 million metric tonnes yearly. In this phase, a passenger terminal with a floor space of 496,000 square metres (5,340,000 sq ft), two parallel runways, a control tower, an administrative building, a transportation centre (the Integrated Transportation Centre, designed by Terry Farrell & Partners and Samoo Architects & Engineers), and integrated operations centre, three cargo terminals, international business centre, and a government office building were constructed.
Phase 2
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 the 2008 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 metres (13,000 ft) long runway and a 13-hectare cargo terminal area were added. A 16.5 hectare concourse connected to the main passenger building via two parallel 870 metres (2,850 ft) long underground passageways was added, with a Mitsubishi Crystal Mover shuttle train APM shuttling passengers between the concourse and the main terminal.[8]
With the completion, the airport has an annual capacity of 410,000 flights, 44,000,000 passengers, and nearly 4,500,000 metric tonnes of cargo. Many long distance foreign carriers were moved to the new concourse, with Korean Air and Asiana Airlines continuing to use the existing terminal. In addition, there were numerous equipment upgrades during the phase, including the newer and better ASDE-X with MRI (Multi Radar Tracking) function, and the ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) system with the RIMCAS (Runway Incursion Monitoring and Conflict Alert System) function. The installation of four additional sets of ASDE-X antennas is planned to reduce blind spots during heavy rainfall and in preparation for the new runway.
Phase 3
Plans to invest ₩4 trillion by 2017 to expand Incheon International Airport. The South Korean government plans to add a second passenger terminal in the northern field of the airport, and expand its existing cargo terminal and other infrastructure. The terminals will be connected with each other by the underground "Starline" train, which currently links the first terminal and the concourse. Upon completion, Incheon International Airport will be able to handle 62 million passengers and 5.8 million tonnes of cargo a year, up from the current capacity of 44 million passengers and 4.5 million tonnes. Construction began in 2011 with completion targeted for 2017. Plans for Incheon's expansion also include adding more aprons to park planes and extending a railway line to the city centre of Seoul about 70 kilometres (43 mi) away from the airport.[9]
Phase 4
Estimated to be completed in 2020, this is the final and the ultimate construction stage. Upon completion, the airport will have two passenger terminals, four satellite concourses, 128 gates, and five parallel runways (one exclusively for cargo flights). It will be able to handle 100 million passengers and 7 million metric tonnes of cargo annually, with further possible expansions. The airport is projected to be transformed into one of the top ten busiest in the world by 2020.
Operation facilities and infrastructure
Control tower
Located at the center of the airport, the 22 story Control Tower is 100.4 metres (329 ft) tall and is illuminated 24 hours a day. On its highest floor is located a parabolic antenna that is used by the Airport Surface Detection Equipment (ASDE) to detect all airplanes and obstacles within 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) of the tower. The upper floors are used by ground and tower controllers, while the lower floors are mostly for support operations. The control tower has a total area of 179 square meters, making it the 3rd largest in the world as of 2001.
Runways
There are three parallel paved asphalt runways in operation, 15R/33L, 15L/33R and 16/34. Runway 15R/33L and 15L/33R are each 3,750 metres (12,300 ft) long, 60 metres (200 ft) wide, and 1.05 metres (3 ft 5 in) thick. Runway 16/34 is 4,000 metres (13,000 ft) long. Runway 15R/33L is used mostly for departures, while runway 15L/33R is used mostly for arrivals. This is evident from the amount of rubber present on each runway; runway 15L/33R has more rubber on it due to the higher number of landings. A third parallel runway (16/34), 4,000 meters long, began operation in June 2008. Landing and takeoffs of most passenger flights are done on the new runway and the existing runway 15R/33L, while runway 15L/33R is mostly used for cargo flights for its proximity with the cargo terminals. Although the runways are labelled 33 and 34, all three runways have the same heading. Once Phase 4 construction is complete, the airport will have 4 parallel runways, two of which will be 3,750 meters long, and the other two 4,000 meters long. All runways are equipped with ILS CAT IIIb at both sides to allow for operation in visibility conditions as low as 50 meters. As of the date of upgrade, Incheon International Airport was the only airport in Asia to have full ILS CAT IIIb capability. The runway lights at Incheon International Airport (as well as the taxi lights) are tied into special computers at the control tower. Air Traffic Controllers can provide progressive taxiing to an aircraft by setting the computer to manipulate the taxi and runway lights so that it will lead them to their designated gate or parking stand.
Terminals, airlines and destinations
This section needs additional citations for verification. (February 2013) |
Main Terminal
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Arrivals
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Arrivals
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Interior
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Airside
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Gate Area
The main passenger terminal (measuring 594,000 square metres) is the largest airport terminal in area in South Korea. The passenger terminal was designed by Curtis W. Fentress, FAIA, RIBA of Fentress 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 1.3816 trillion South Korean Won.[citation needed] The terminal has 44 boarding ports (all of which can accommodate the new 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.
Concourse
The passenger concourse was completed at the end of May 2008, and all foreign airlines use this terminal as of 10 June 2008. It is connected to the Main Terminal by two parallel 870-metre (2,850 ft) long underground passageways equipped with IATs (Intra Airport Transit). It has 30 gates and five lounges (Asiana Airlines/Star Alliance, Korean Air/SkyTeam, Cathay Pacific/Oneworld, Japan Airlines/Oneworld, and China Eastern Airlines/SkyTeam).
Airlines and destinations
Passenger airlines
There are currently over 90 airlines serving ICN. The largest carrier in terms of passenger numbers is Korean Air, followed by Asiana Airlines. Although all domestic flights depart from the main terminal, international gates are separated from the domestic gates. Passengers should note that even though non-Korean (foreign) carriers started to operate from concourse A on 10 June 2008, all check-in and immigration procedures are still conducted in the main passenger terminal.
Incheon has more Chinese destinations than Hong Kong International Airport[citation needed], and more Japanese destinations than Narita International Airport.[10]
Incheon Airport is a major connecting point between China and North America; as of July 2013, Korean Air operates between Incheon and 22 cities in Mainland China, and Asiana Airlines operates between Incheon and 21 cities in Mainland China. There had been a lack of non-stop flights between many Chinese cities and the United States, and low prices and territorial disputes between Japan and China have caused many Chinese to transit via Seoul.[11]
Cargo airlines
Airlines | Destinations |
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Air China Cargo | Beijing-Capital, Shanghai-Pudong |
Air France Cargo | Paris-Charles de Gaulle |
Air Hong Kong | Hong Kong |
Air Incheon | Qingdao, Tokyo-Haneda, Ulan Bator, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk |
Air Japan | Naha, Tokyo-Narita |
AirBridgeCargo Airlines | Moscow-Domodedovo, Moscow-Sheremetyevo, St. Petersburg |
ANA & JP Express | Osaka-Kansai, Tokyo-Narita |
Antonov Airlines | Fairbanks |
ANA Cargo | Naha, Osaka-Kansai, Tokyo-Narita |
Asiana Cargo | Anchorage, Atlanta, Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, Brussels, Chicago-O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth,[16] Frankfurt, Gothenburg, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, London-Stansted, Los Angeles, Miami, Milan-Malpensa, Moscow-Domodedovo, Nagoya-Centrair, New York-JFK, Osaka-Kansai, Oslo-Gardermoen, Penang, Portland (OR),[17] San Francisco, Shanghai-Pudong, Singapore, St. Petersburg, Tianjin, Vienna, Yantai |
Atlas Air | Chicago-O'Hare, Hong Kong |
Aviacon Zitotrans | Yekaterinburg |
Cardig Air | Jakarta-Soekarno-Hatta |
Cargolux | Luxemburg |
Cathay Pacific Cargo | Hong Kong, Osaka-Kansai |
China Cargo Airlines | Shanghai-Pudong |
China Postal Airlines | Beijing-Capital, Yantai |
DHL Aviation operated by AeroLogic | Leipzig/Halle[18] |
Emirates SkyCargo | Dubai, Osaka-Kansai |
Evergreen International Airlines | Shanghai-Pudong |
FedEx Express | Anchorage, Beijing-Capital, Guangzhou, Los Angeles, Memphis, Newark, New York-JFK, Shanghai-Pudong |
Grandstar Cargo | Tianjin |
Kalitta Air | Anchorage, Chicago-O'Hare, New York-JFK |
Korean Air Cargo | Amsterdam, Atlanta, Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, Beijing-Capital, Boston, Brussels, Campinas, Chicago-O'Hare, Chennai, Cheongju, Copenhagen, Dallas/Fort Worth, Frankfurt, Guadalajara, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City, Istanbul-Ataturk, Jakarta-Soekarno-Hatta, Kuala Lumpur, Lima, London-Heathrow, Los Angeles, Manchester, Manila, Miami, Milan-Malpensa, Moscow-Sheremetyevo, Navoiy, New York-JFK, Osaka-Kansai, Oslo-Gardermoen, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Penang, Qingdao, San Francisco, Seattle/Tacoma, Shanghai-Pudong, Singapore, Stockholm-Arlanda, Tel Aviv-Ben Gurion, Toronto-Pearson, Vienna, Xiamen, Zaragoza Seasonal: Basel/Mulhouse |
Lufthansa Cargo | Frankfurt, Krasnoyarsk |
MASkargo | Kuala Lumpur |
Midex Airlines | Al Ain |
Nippon Cargo Airlines | Osaka-Kansai, Shanghai-Pudong, Tokyo-Narita |
Nordic Global Airlines | Helsinki |
Polar Air Cargo | Anchorage, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Melbourne, Shanghai-Pudong, Taipei-Taoyuan |
Polet Airlines | Voronezh |
Qantas Freight | Chicago-O'Hare, Sydney |
Qatar Airways Cargo | Doha |
SAT Airlines Cargo | Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk |
SF Airlines | Zhengzhou |
Silk Way Airlines | Baku |
Singapore Airlines Cargo | Singapore |
Southern Air | Beijing-Capital, Chicago-O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, New York-JFK, San Francisco |
Tradewinds Airlines | San Juan |
Turkish Airlines Cargo | Almaty, Bishkek, Istanbul-Ataturk [19] |
UPS Airlines | Almaty, Anchorage, Hong Kong, Indianapolis, Qingdao, Shenzhen, Taipei-Taoyuan, Zhengzhou |
Volga-Dnepr Airlines | Krasnoyarsk |
World Airways | Anchorage, Hong Kong, Los Angeles |
Yanda Airlines | Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi |
Yangtze River Express | Hangzhou, Qingdao |
Cargo Terminal Complex
The Cargo Terminal Complex comprises six cargo terminals, five separate warehouses, All E/F Class 36 parking stands, and administration offices. Each cargo terminal is designed to provide each carrier with unique services, and a cargo warehouse – approximately 3,500 square metres (38,000 sq ft). They are separated into three areas: import, passing, and export. The logical manner in which the terminals were designed allow for a highly efficient operation. The cargo terminals also come with an advanced computer system that helps managers view individual package information, tracking information, storage information, etc. in real time. The terminals also feature various other high-tech technologies.
The Cargo Terminal Complex was designed to be able to process 1.7 million tons of cargo per year. However, due to the increased demands, the operators of Cargo A Terminal and Cargo B Terminal have opted to expand their facilities onto the land that is available nearby. As a result, the total processing ability of the complex is currently rated at 3.8 million tons per year. The C Terminal was unable to expand, however, due to the lack of direct airside access. Once Phase II expansion is complete, the airport will have a processing ability of around 4.9 million metric tons per year. This is because the expansion which was originally designed to allow an expansion to 4.5 million tons per year would be adding on top of the current processing ability, which includes the expansions by Korean Air Cargo and Asiana Cargo which were conducted separately on a piece of land that did not conflict with the airport expansion plans.
The Cargo Terminal Complex operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, nonstop. In addition, the automation systems had been upgraded. As a result, it is typical for the airport to output an extra 2 million tons per year processing capability than the original design.
A Terminal
Terminal A is operated by Korean Air Cargo. It is the largest cargo terminal by both size and capacity within the airport. It is able to process special types of cargo, such as those that require refrigeration or those that carry live animals. This facility had been expanded once on 2 March 2005 to allow for a total processing capability of 1.35 million tons per year. The terminal has an area of 60,000 square meters.
B Terminal
This cargo terminal is operated by Asiana Cargo. Although its capacity was to be expanded to 800,000 tons per year, the diminished demand for cargo transportation on Asiana originating from a pilot strike in 2005 has caused the plans to be modified. Currently, the terminals are capable of processing 750,000 tons per year. The terminal has an area of 40,000 square meters.
C Terminal
This cargo terminal is operated by the Incheon International Airport Foreign Carrier Cargo Terminal Company. Its users include FedEx, UPS, as well as other airlines. Due to its location, it could not expand its facilities, as with the other terminals, without conflicting with the existing plans for airport expansion. As a result, the IIAC is currently constructing a new terminal that would by operated by the IIAC Foreign Carrier Cargo Terminal Company. Once this new terminal is constructed, FedEx and UPS are expected to move into the new terminal, while other cargo operators are expected to use the existing terminal.
The terminal is 420 metres (1,380 ft) long, 120 metres (390 ft) wide, and 19.65 metres (64.5 ft) tall. Its first floor (warehouse) has a total area of 54,203.32 square meters, and other floors occupy 12,708.88 square meters. Its current total processing capability is 600,000 metrics tons per year. 51 different cargo companies use this complex.
AACT Terminal
This cargo terminal is operated by the Joint Company named AACT. Atlas Air Cargo and Sharp have a share. Its users include Polar Air Cargo, Qantas Freight, Finnair Cargo, as well as other airlines.
DHL Incheon Gateway
DHL Express owns and operates this gateway facility[clarification needed] for its operations in Korea, Japan, and Far East Russia. This cargo terminal is four stories tall with modern facilities.
Traffic and statistics
Traffic by calendar year
Passenger volume | Change over previous year | Aircraft operations | Cargo tonnage | |
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2001 | 14,542,290 | 86,807 | 1,186,015 | |
2002 | 20,924,171 | 43.9% | 126,094 | 1,705,928 |
2003 | 19,789,874 | 5.4% | 130,185 | 1,843,055 |
2004 | 24,084,072 | 21.7% | 149,776 | 2,133,444 |
2005 | 26,051,466 | 8.2% | 160,843 | 2,150,139 |
2006 | 28,191,116 | 8.2% | 182,007 | 2,336,571 |
2007 | 31,227,897 | 10.8% | 211,404 | 2,555,580 |
2008 | 29,973,522 | 4.0% | 211,102 | 2,423,717 |
2009 | 28,549,770 | 4.8% | 198,918 | 2,313,002 |
2010 | 33,478,925 | 17.3% | 214,835 | 2,684,499 |
2011 | 35,062,366 | 4.7% | 229,580 | 2,539,222 |
2012 | 38,970,864 | 11.1% | 254,037 | 2,456,724 |
Source: IIAC Airport Statistics[20] |
Top Carriers
In 2012, the ten carriers with the largest percentage of passengers flying into, out of, or through Incheon are as follows:
Rank | Carrier | Domestic Passengers |
International Passengers |
Total | % |
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1 | Korean Air | 419,929 | 14,058,318 | 14,478,247 | 37.15% |
2 | Asiana Airlines | 191,024 | 9,602,680 | 9,793,704 | 25.13% |
3 | China Southern Airlines | 1,158,424 | 1,158,424 | 2.97% | |
4 | Cathay Pacific | 1,046,374 | 1,046,374 | 2.69% | |
5 | China Eastern Airlines | 977,691 | 977,691 | 2.51% | |
6 | Thai Airways International | 855,970 | 855,970 | 2.20% | |
7 | Jeju Air | 1,996 | 790,976 | 792,972 | 2.03% |
8 | Air China | 753,201 | 753,201 | 1.93% | |
9 | Jin Air | 117 | 654,555 | 654,672 | 1.68% |
10 | Singapore Airlines | 598,304 | 598,304 | 1.54% |
Accolades
Incheon International airport has won numerous awards since its opening, including:
- In 1998, received ISO certifications in airport construction and airport services.
- From 2002, won the Best Airport Award, according to IATA and ACI, for three consecutive years.
- In 2002, was rated second in the Best Airport Worldwide category, according to IATA and ACI.
- Incheon International Airport Corporation became the first in the world to receive ISO certification in airport services.
- In 2005, won the Best Airport Worldwide 2005 award from AETRA Service Monitoring, which was jointly conducted by IATA and ACI.
- In 2006, received the ATRS' Top Asia-Pacific Efficiency Award after achieving a residual variable factor productivity efficiency value that was 57% higher than the average of those in the region.
- In 2006, was awarded as the world's best airport based on a passenger survey conducted by the IATA.
- Was named Best Airport Worldwide at the first Airport Service Quality Awards.[21]
- Received an ISO certification in the environmental category.
- Was awarded the "Best in Service Award in Class" at the 1st International Conference on Airport Quality and Service by the IATA and the ACI.
- Won the GT Tested Award for Best Airport in the World in January 2007.[22]
- Named by Global Traveler (GT) as the Best Airport in the World for the second straight year in January 2008.[7]
- Has been named World's Best Airport for 2009, in the World Airport Survey results published by Skytrax.
- In 2010 it was ranked the second-best airport in the world by Skytrax, behind Singapore Changi Airport, based on a customer satisfaction survey.[23]
- In 2011 it was ranked the third-best airport in the world by Skytrax, behind Hong Kong International Airport and Singapore Changi Airport.[24]
- In 2012 it was ranked the best airport in the world by Skytrax.[25]
Year | Award | Category | Results | Ref |
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2009 | Airport Service Quality Awards by Airports Council International |
Best Airport Worldwide | Won | [26] |
Best Airport in Asia-Pacific | Won | |||
Best Airport by Size (25–40 million passenger) | Won | |||
2010 | Best Airport Worldwide | Won | [27] | |
2011 | Won | .[28] |
Accidents and incidents
- On 16 June 2011, Asiana Airlines Flight 324 operated by Airbus A321-200 HL7763 between Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, China and Incheon International Airport was fired upon by two soldiers of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps as it came into land at Incheon. A total of 99 rounds were discharged at the aircraft, which was out of range and 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 gave them permission to engage without reference to senior officers, following the Bombardment of Yeonpyeong in November 2010.[29]
Ground transport
This section needs additional citations for verification. (May 2013) |
Bus
Airport buses are called limousine buses, and are available outside the arrival areas on the first floor. For standard limousine buses travel to Gimpo Airport & Songjeong Station costs around 5,000 won, while the fare for most routes to downtown Seoul is 9,000 - 10,000 won. Deluxe buses are express buses with wider seats costing 7,000 won to Gimpo and 14,000 - 15,000 won to most parts of Seoul.[30]
Limousine Bus
Limousine Bus (to Seoul)
- 6001 : Myeongdong, Namdaemun Market, Seoul Station, Samgakji Station, Yongsan Station, Gimpo International Airport
- 6002 : Cheongnyangni Station[disambiguation needed], Jegi-dong, Sinseol-dong, Dongdaemun, Jongno, Gwanghwamun, Chungjeongno Station, Hapjeong Station
- 6003 : Seoul National University, Bongcheon Station, Guro, Mok-dong, Balsan Station, Gimpo International Airport
- 6004 : Gasan Digital Complex, Geumcheon-gu Office Station, Seoksu Station, Gwangmyeong Station (KTX)
- 6005 : City Hall, Gwanghwamun, Dongnimmun Station, Muakjae Station, Hongje Station, Digital Media City Station, Susaek Station
- 6006 : Gangdong, Cheonho Station, Jamsil Station (Lotte World), Sports Complex, COEX (Samseong Station), Apgujeong Station
- 6007 : Gimpo International Airport
- 6008 : Yeongdeungpo Station, Yeongdeungpo Market Station, Dangsan Station, Yeomchang Station, Balsan Station, Gimpo International Airport
- 6009 : Irwon-dong, Gaepo-dong, Yangjae Station, Gangnam Station, Shinsa-dong
- 6011 : Wolgye-dong, Induk University, Dream Forest, Sungshin Women's Univ. Station, Hansung Univ. Station, Changgyeonggung, Changdeokgung, Gyeongbokgung Station, Yonsei University, Mapo-gu Office Station
- 6012 : Gupabal Station, Yeonsinnae Station, Seobu Intercity Bus Terminal, Bulgwang Station, Yeokchon Station, Eungam Station, Sangam-dong
- 6013 : Myeonmok-dong, Janghanpyeong Station, Gunja Station, Sejong University, Konkuk University, Jayang-dong, Yeongdong Bridge
- 6014 : Gwangmyeong Station (KTX), Soha-dong, Gwangmyeong Gymnasium, Cheolsan Station, Oryu-dong, Seobu Truck Terminal, West Seoul lake Park, Gimpo International Airport
- 6015 : Myeongdong, Namdaemun Market, Seoul Station, Chungjeongno Station, Ahyeon-dong, Gongdeok Station
- 6016 : Seoul National University of Education, Nambu Bus Terminal, Bangbae Station, Sadang Station, Isu Station, Heukseok-dong
- 6017 : Seoul National University Hoam Faculty House, Nakseongdae, Bongcheon Station, Lotte Department Store (Gwanak), Guro Digital Complex, Boramae Park
- 6018 : Sheraton Seoul Dcubecity Hotel, Sindorim Station, Omokgyo Station, Mok-dong, Sinmokdong Station, Jeungmi Station, Gayang Station
- 6020 : Yeoksam Station, Gangnam Station, Seoul National University of Education Station, Seoul Express Bus Terminal, Sin-Banpo, Gu-Banpo
- 6030 : IP Boutique Hotel, Hangangjin Station, Hannam Station, Dongbuichon-dong, 63 Building, Yeouido, National Assembly Building
- 6100 : Mangu Station, Sangbong Station, Junghwa Station, Meokgol Station, Taereung Station, Hagye Station, Junggye Station, Nowon Station, Madeul Station, Surak Terminal
- 6101 : Surak Terminal, Suraksan Station, Ssangmun Station, Suyu Station, Miasamgeori, Jeongneung, Gimpo International Airport
- 6103 : Trade Center (City Airport)
- 6105 : Gimpo International Airport
- 6300 : Godeok Station, Myeongil Station, Gubeundari Station, Gil-dong Station, Dunchon-dong Station, Ogeum Station, Police Hospital, Suseo Station
KAL Limousine
- 6701 : City Hall
- 6702 : Mapo, Seoul Station, Namsan, Yaksu Station
- 6703 : Sapyeong Station, Gangnam
- 6704 : COEX (Samseong Station)
- 6705 : Jamsil (Lotte World), Dongseoul Bus Terminal, Gwangnaru Station
- 6707 : Songdo, Gimpo International Airport
Intercity Bus
Daejeon, Seosan, Cheonan, Cheongju, Chungju, Gwangju, Gunsan, Gwangyang, Mokpo, Yeosu, Jeonju, Dongdaegu, Gumi, Gimcheon, Masan, Changwon, Busan, Andong, Ulsan, Gangneung, Wonju, Chuncheon, Taebaek, Hongcheon
Rail
The Incheon International Airport Railroad airport express (or AREX, and styled as A'REX) station is located in the Transport Centre adjacent to the main terminal building and provides high-speed services to Gimpo Airport and Seoul. The AREX trains can speed up to 120 km/h, almost two times faster than a normal subway train. Passengers can choose a high-speed service stopping only at Incheon and Seoul, which takes 43 minutes between Incheon and Seoul but departs only every half-hour; or the all-station service, with a slightly longer journey time of 53 minutes but a more frequent departure timetable of every six minutes. Many of the stations along the AREX line provide connections to the Incheon Subway and Seoul Metropolitan Subway.
Commuter railway stations
- Incheon International Airport
- Incheon International Airport Cargo Terminal (3min)
- Unseo (7 min)
- Geomam (21 min)
- Gyeyang (26.5 min, transfer to Incheon Subway Line 1)
- Gimpo Airport (33 min, transfer to Seoul Subway Line 5, Seoul Subway Line 9)
- Digital Media City Station (transfer to Line 6, Gyeongui Line)
- Hongik University Station (transfer to Line 2, Gyeongui Line))
- Gongdeok Station (transfer to Line 5 and Line 6, Gyeongui Line))
- Seoul Station (50 min, transfer to Line 1, Line 4 and Gyeongui Line)
Express railway stations
- Incheon International Airport
- Seoul Station (40 min, transfer to Line 1, Line 4 and Gyeongui Line)
Korea Train eXpress (planned)
- Korean Transport and Maritime Affairs plan to construct a link line between Incheon International Airport Railroad and Gyeongui Line (Gyeongbu Line) by 2012~2013. This plan will bring KTX service to Incheon International Airport.
- Gyeongbu High Speed Railway
- Incheon International Airport Station (0 min, starting point)
- Seoul Station (40 min???check distance)
- Osong Station {1 hour 28 min, transfer to KTX Honam Line (2014)}
- Daejeon Station (1 hour 39 min)
- Dongdaegu Station (2 hours 27 min)
- Ulsan Station (2 hours 57 min)
- Busan Station (3 hours 19 min)
- Honam Line {Yongsan ~ Seodaejeon: High speed lines (Gyeongbu Line), Seodaejeon ~ Mokpo: Conventional lines -> Honam High speed line (Osong ~ Mokpo) will be finished by 2014}
- Incheon International Airport Station (0 min, starting point)
- Seoul – Yongsan Station (44 min???check distance)
- Osong Station {1 hour 28 min, transfer to KTX Gyeongbu Line (2014)}
- Daejeon – Seodaejeon Station (1 hour 43 min)
- Iksan Station (2 hours 37 min)
- Gwangju·Songjeong Station (3 hours 27 min)
- Mokpo Station (4 hours 2 min)
- Gyeongbu High Speed Railway
Maglev
A maglev link is currently under construction. The first phase will be 6.1 km long spread over six stations taking riders from the airport toward the south-west of the island where a water park will be located. It will open in September 2013. Phase 2 will be 9.7 km long extending the line to the north-west of the island. Phase 3 will add 37.4 km making the line into a circle.
Car
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. Link to the main land is provided by the toll Yeongjong Bridge and an expressway. A second expressway on the Incheon Bridge connects the island with central Incheon.
Taxi
Taxis have three distinct colors: white (silver or yellow, orange) and black, and orange. "Normal taxis" (일반 택시; ilban taeksi) are colored in white or yellow with a colored plastic "taxi" cap on the top of the car. "Deluxe taxis" (모범 택시; mobeom taeksi) are black in color with gold accent/stripes with a plastic yellow "taxi" cap on the roof and are more expensive than regular taxis. Also available are "International Taxis" (국제 택시; gukjae taxi) which has the phrase 'International Taxis', written on the side. International taxis are rare in Seoul. These are orange in color, as the Normal versions. International taxis service English, Japanese, and Chinese speaking drivers. Information can be found on http://www.intltaxi.co.kr/ and reservations are available too.
Ferry
This section needs additional citations for verification. (May 2013) |
A ferry service connects Yeongjong-do to the mainland. However, the dock is located at considerable distance from the airport and an alternative means of transport must be sought upon arriving at the island to be able to get to the airport.
See also
- Transportation in South Korea
- List of Korea-related topics
- List of airports in South Korea
- Incheon International Airport Railroad
- Gimpo International Airport – former International Airport now used mostly for domestic flights
- Busiest airports in South Korea by passenger traffic
- World's Busiest Airports by Cargo Traffic – 4th Place
- World's Busiest Airports by International Passenger Traffic – 8th Place
References
- ^ "Incheon(ICN) International Airport - Airport Traffic(Summary)". Airport.kr. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
- ^ a b "Incheon International named Best Airport Worldwide 7 years in a row". Rus Tourism News. 21 February 2012. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
- ^ "Airport Service Excellence Awards". ACI website. 27 February 2008. Retrieved 24 September 2008.
- ^ "인천공항 면세점, 3년연속 '세계 최고 면세점 선정' - Chosunbiz - 프리미엄 경제 파워". Biz.chosun.com. 1 January 2013. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
- ^ "25 Reasons Incheon International Airport is the Best Airport in the World". Seulistic. 12 July 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
- ^ "ACI releases World Airport Traffic Report 2010" (PDF). 1 August 2011. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
- ^ a b [1] [dead link]
- ^ "Incheon Airport to Open New Concourse". Koreatimes.co.kr. 29 May 2008. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
- ^ "Incheon Airport to Have New Terminal by 2017". Korea Herald. 29 June 2009. Retrieved 29 June 2009.
- ^ Simms, James (18 January 2010). "Japanese Travelers' Seoul Train". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 19 January 2010.
{{cite news}}
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(help) - ^ "Why Nearly Half of Asiana Passengers Were Chinese." The Wall Street Journal. July 7, 2013. Retrieved on July 19, 2013.
- ^ "Asiana Airlines". Chkin.flyasiana.com. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
- ^ http://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/delta-launches-seattle-seoul-hong-180000169.html
- ^ "Jin Air to restart daily Naha-Seoul flights". Japan Update. 30 May 2013. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
- ^ a b "T'way Airlines to Add Saga/Sapporo Service from December 2013". Airline Route. 16 October 2013. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
- ^ "Asiana route highlights DFW, Incheon partnership". 7 September 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
- ^ 03/06/2011 3:19 pm. "Asiana comes to Oregon / June 2011 / News / Home". Air Cargo World. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "2013 summer schedule". Aero Logic. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
- ^ Turkish Airlines Cargo Winter Schedule[dead link]
- ^ a b "IIAC Stats". Retrieved 1 July 2013.
- ^ [2][dead link]
- ^ "Premium Travelers Name Incheon International Top Airport Global Traveler Readers have Chosen the Airport as the Best in the World". PR Web Website. 21 January 2007. Retrieved 27 January 2006.
- ^ "Singapore Changi Airport named World's Best Airport 2010". Worldairportawards.com. 23 March 2010. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
- ^ "Hong Kong International Airport named World's Best Airport by passengers for 2011". Worldairportawards.com. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
- ^ "Incheon International Airport is named the World's Best Airport in 2012 by airline travelers". Worldairportawards.com. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
- ^ "ACI Airport Service Quality Awards 2009, Asia Pacific airports sweep top places in worldwide awards" Airports Council International. 16 February 2010. Retrieved 2012-04-13
- ^ "ASQ Award for winners for 2010". Airports Council International. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ "World's best airports announced -- Asia dominates". CNN Go. 15 February 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
{{cite news}}
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(help) - ^ Hradecky, Simon. "Incident: Asiana A321 near Seoul on Jun 17th 2011, aircraft under fire". The Aviation Herald. Retrieved 18 June 2011.
- ^ "From Incheon Airport to Seoul". Transit Information. Korean Tourism Agency. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
External links
- Incheon International Airport Official Site
- Incheon International Airport Foreign Carrier Cargo Terminal
- Official Site of Korea Tourism Org.: Incheon
- Korea City Air Terminal
- Korea Airport Service
- Template:WAD
- Incheon Airport Bus Guide & Map
- New Airport Highway Co. Incheon International Airport Expressway
- Incheon International Airport Railroad (A'REX)