Incheon International Airport in South Korea is undergoing a massive £3.5 billion ($4.8 billion) expansion project to accommodate growing global aviation demand.
Unveiled by the Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC) on Tuesday, the fourth-phase construction at Terminal 2 is expected to boost the airport’s annual passenger capacity to 106 million.
The ambitious project, initiated in 2017, is now in its final stage and is set to be fully operational by the end of this year, following test operations that began in June.
Once complete, the expansion will increase the airport’s passenger capacity by a huge 37.6 percent, up from the current 77 million, while its cargo capacity will rise to 6.3 million metric tons annually.
Flight operations are also expected to grow from 500,000 to 600,000 per year.
Lee Hag-jae, president and CEO of IIAC, said: “We intend to mobilise all our resources to ensure the smooth and safe completion of the fourth phase of construction and its grand opening.
“We pledge to offer world-class service and make sure the new Incheon International Airport becomes the biggest hub airport in Asia, connecting technology, art, and people together.”
The seven-year project, which has reached 95 percent completion as of April, is part of a long-term vision dating back to the airport’s initial planning in 1992 before it opened in 2001.
Cho Gyu-hyuk, the project’s deputy chief, said the expansion would solidify Incheon Airport’s rank as the third-largest globally in terms of passenger volume by 2033, behind only Dubai (120 million passengers annually) and Istanbul (110 million).
In addition to capacity increases, the renovation will introduce cutting-edge technology and immersive cultural experiences.
The airport will feature smart check-in and security systems aimed at reducing boarding times, along with an advanced aviation monitoring control system to minimize aircraft delays.
The terminal will also boast large-scale media art installations and an outdoor garden blending traditional Korean and modern aesthetics.
Sustainability is a key focus of the new development, with 18 percent of the airport’s electricity expected to come from renewable energy sources.
Incheon Airport’s ambitious expansion also marks a new chapter in IIAC’s global influence.
With recent successes in airport management projects in Indonesia, Kuwait, and the Philippines, the corporation aims to build at least 10 international airports worldwide by 2030.
