Incheon starts 4th-stage expansion project for new runway

Incheon International Airport Corp. President Chung Il-young gives a congratulatory speech at the groundbreaking ceremony for the airport's 4th-stage expansion project, Thursday. Courtesy of IIAC

By Kim Hyun-bin

Incheon International Airport entered a new stage of construction Thursday, aiming to better accommodate the expected rise in passenger demand in the coming years, according to Incheon International Airport Corp. (IIAC) and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

IIAC President Chung Il-young and Sohn Myung-soo, director of aviation policy at the transport ministry, took part in the groundbreaking ceremony for a new runway near the airport, along with 500 other aviation and construction officials.

“The fourth-stage project aims to better accommodate the increase in air traffic and to better compete as the airport hub of Northeast Asia,” Sohn said. “We will do all we can in policies to support Incheon airport so it can gain a competitive edge in the international airport market and achieve the 100 million annual passenger mark.”

The government has allocated 4.2 trillion won ($3.7 billion) for the fourth stage of the expansion project, which will include the expansion of Terminal 2, construction of a fourth runway as well as enlarging the taxiing area.

Currently, the airport has the capacity to deal with 72 million passengers a year, but the number of passengers using the airport is expected to surge to 95 million by 2023. After this stage of construction, the capacity is expected to rise to 100 million, the third-largest number following Dubai airport's 120 million and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol's 110 million.

In 2001, the airport opened after completion of the first stage of construction. In 2008, the second stage built a concourse, and in 2018, Terminal 2 opened as part of the third stage.

“We will do our utmost so the fourth stage of construction can be completed without problem by 2023,” Chung said. “Also we will work endlessly so Incheon International Airport will be worthy of its status as Northeast Asia's hub airport.”