Asiana’s move to Terminal 2 to ease congestion at Incheon Int'l Airport

Travelers move through the duty free area in Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport, Tuesday. Newsis

Incheon International Airport expects passenger flows to ease next year after Asiana Airlines relocates from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2, the airport’s operator said Tuesday. The shift is also expected to support steady growth in traffic as the hub approaches, and potentially surpasses, pre-pandemic levels.

Asiana Airlines will begin operating out of Terminal 2 on Jan. 14, following its low-cost affiliates, Air Busan and Air Seoul, which moved there in July and September respectively.

Currently, about 66 percent of air travelers use Terminal 1, but the share is projected to fall to around 51 percent after the move. The change is expected to ease chronic congestion at Terminal 1 check-in counters and parking lots, especially during peak holiday seasons.

Travelers on international flights at the airport are estimated to reach 75.07 million next year, surpassing this year's estimated 74.04 million, which is up 4.1 percent from 2024.

To prepare for the shift, the airport has added 119 security screeners, expanded self baggage drop units to 104 and increased parking capacity to about 250,000 vehicles. Automated immigration gates and airline lounges at Terminal 2 will also be expanded.

"Incheon airport has laid the groundwork for an artificial intelligence ecosystem and posted record overseas business revenue this year," IIAC President and CEO Lee Hag-jae said. "Next year, we will move beyond safe operations to lead future innovation through K-airport exports and an advanced aviation complex."