By Lee Hyo-sik
Staff reporter
A growing number of Koreans are traveling both domestically and internationally this year on improving economic conditions and the strengthening of the Korean won, providing a much-needed boost to provincial airports.
To capitalize on the travel boom, the operator of the nation’s 14 provincial airports plans to improve airport facilities and customer satisfaction.
Korea Airports Corp. (KAC) CEO Sung Si-chul said Tuesday that the company will make every effort to draw both Korean and foreign air travelers, stressing many of the 14 regional airports will generate profits this year.
“In 2009, only three out of 14 provincial airports were in the black in the wake of the worldwide economic slump. But we will do much better this year and beyond as a result of a surge in both outbound and inbound travelers,” Sung said at a press conference.
According to the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs, 12.72 million passengers flew within the country through regional airports from January through April, up 17.4 percent from the same period last year. About 50 million individuals are expected to travel through provincial airports this year, up sharply from 41.7 million in 2009, if the current trend continues for the remainder of the year.
“It is true that many regional airports have suffered from chronic deficits over the years. But more travelers are taking an airplane to local destinations on lower airfares,” he said. “Also, besides Incheon International Airport, provincial airports have attracted more travelers desiring to go overseas by offering direct international routes to China, Japan and other Asian countries through budget airlines.”
In a bid to attract more foreign travelers and better serve their needs, KAC will open a multi-million dollar leisure and shopping center at Gimpo Airport in Seoul by October 2011.
Sung said Skycity will open its doors to Korean and non-Korean travelers in the second half of next year.
“It will have everything to appeal to any leisure traveler’s needs, ranging from a hotel, a shopping mall, a hospital and even a theme park. Skycity will definitely help us draw more non-Korean tourists and encourage them to spend more money here,” Sung said.
In the long run, KAC plans to distinguish itself as a globally recognized organization specializing in airport management, and providing high-quality customer services.
“We are also committed to improving aviation safety and customer satisfaction. We will become a more employee-friendly workplace and a more trusted social entity in the local community,” the CEO said.
KAC was established in 1980 to promote the efficient construction, management, and operation of airports and effective air transportation.