Ranked the world's best airport for customer service an in ACI's Airport Service Quality (ASQ) awards an unprecedented five years in a row, Incheon is now looking to expand its superior customer experience beyond the terminal through some impressive airport city developments.
Built in 1992 according to an ambitious blueprint, Incheon International Airport was constructed on the Yeongjong island in the Yellow Sea and would go on to become a symbol of national pride and one of North East Asia's principal aviation hubs when it opened in 2001.
In its nine years of operation, Incheon International Airport has set high standards in all areas of airport operations, including customer service, service and logistics, while raising its profile from Korea's premier airport to one of the best airports in the world.
A story of success
As both an international gateway and a commercial business in its own right, Incheon International Airport's advanced facilities have garnered it worldwide recognition and added to South Korea's competitiveness or 'soft power'. Its facilities allow for fast and convenient arrival and departure processing and, in unique culture and art attractions and convenience facilities, also provides an unprecedented customer experience.
Commencing in 2002 at an investment of $2.6 billion, Incheon International Airport's second phase construction was successfully completed six years later, providing the airport with advanced facilities.
Following the grand opening of its second phase facilities, Incheon International Airport cemented its place among the ranks of the world's top airports, connecting Korea with 170 cities in 60 countries around the globe with expanded annual capacities of 410,000 flights, 44 million passengers and 4.5 million tonnes of cargo.
Ranked second in the world for international cargo tonnage throughput and 12th in international passenger volume, Incheon International Airport has secured its position as the nation's premier gateway and as an economic focal point.
Incheon International Airport has achieved rapid growth in size and brand value in the eight years since it's opening, winning a succession of international awards in a variety of areas.
Incheon's retail offering is also impressive with duty free sales of $945 million in 2009 and includes the main shopping, precinct, the AIRSTAR Avenue which offers great prices on the world's top brands and promotions.
A world renowned brand
Incheon International Airport is not prepared to rest on its laurels as the world's most competitive airport brand. As a global leader among the world's airports, Incheon International Airport will pioneer new frontiers of aviation.
As airports seek to capitalise on increasing aviation demand by expanding airport infrastructure, airports in countries around the world are pursuing large-scale 'hub airport' strategies with economic knock-on effects. To ensure we maintain an early lead in the North East Asian aviation market, Incheon International Airport is now preparing for a third phase expansion.
Third phase construction will enable Incheon International Airport to meet future aviation demand increases and improve its competitiveness. With an investment of $4 billion by 2015, the construction includes expansion of the cargo terminal, aircraft aprons and access transportation facilities, construction of the second passenger terminal and phase two expansion of the airport logistics park.
Once completed, phase three construction will boost Incheon International Airport's annual handling capacity from 44 million to 62 million passengers and from 4.5 million tonnes to 5.8 million tonnes of cargo.
In addition, third phase construction is forecast to generate 80,000 new jobs, $7.8 billion in production-inducement effect and $3.3 billion in value-added creation.
Pioneering the global airport market.
From its opening to the present, Incheon International Airport has received benchmarking visits form some 4,000 representatives of foreign airports or airport-related agencies, reflecting its reputation for professional know-how in airport construction and operation.
Today, Incheon is actively pursuing overseas airport development opportunities around the world. Incheon International Airport made its successful debut in the world airport market with a $31.5 million order for airport operations support from Iraq's Erbil Airport in February 2009.
With additional overseas orders underway, Incheon is looking ahead to becoming a fully-fledged global leader in the export of airport know-how.
Free Trade Zone and Cargo Facilities
The airport's successful Free Trade Zone (FTZ)"ê- the first developed in South Korea - is a good example of Incheon's ability to maximise non-aeronautical revenue streams.
Its popularity with the international business community is well illustrated by its long list of clients, including world-class couriers such as DHL and Polar Air, but also global high-tech manufacturers such as Neo-Semitech and ASML.
It is certainly one of the main reasons to establish Incheon as a logistics hub for North East Asia and it will provide the core of the region's growth over the coming decades.
Trans-shipments account for 49% of the cargo handled, with Chinese markets providing the bulk of consignments, high-end goods such as semi-conductors, liquid crystal displays (LCD) and mobile phone devices are its main exports.
To boost its cargo capacity Incheon recently launched the third phase of its development plan, which once complete in 2015, will see the airport significantly expand its cargo ramp space and freight capacity to 580 million tonnes.
AirCity Situated on Yeongjong island and designated a Free Economic Zone (FEZ) with a host of tax and tariff benefits, Incheon International Airport is ideally placed to develop non-aeronautical revenues and is transforming its land into a multi-purpose 'AirCity' comprising shopping venues, business facilities, leisure and entertainment attractions and logistics park. These will not only provide passengers with a varied and exciting experience, but also create a powerful growth engine for the national economy.
The International Business Centre (IBC-I)
IBC-I, adjacent to a main passenger terminal, serves its airport support function. It will be very easy to access IBC-I from 2013 when the maglev train line will operate from the passenger terminal. IBC-I can be accessed by car, shuttle bus and even through bicycle routes.
The first phase of IBC-I (165,000 sqm) consists of two airport hotels, four office buildings, one commercial building and a golf course. The existing two airport hotels, Hyatt Regency Incheon and Best Western Hotel, boast of reaching the top occupancy rates in South Korea. These two hotels serve not only airport passengers but also hold conventions and exhibitions for business events. Office buildings are currently used by airport workers and aviation-related businesses.
Incheon International Airport is preparing to build a global medical centre and an airport hotel in IBC-I. The medical centre and an airport hotel will serve not only as the airport's support facilities but also as a catalyst to increase international passenger demand.
In addition, IIAC is planning the IBC-I second phase development of 336,000sqm, which will include hotels, as well as a commercial and business facilities meeting airport support function.
The International Business Centre (IBC-II)
Comprising a world-class theme park, hotel, convention, shopping and a business area specially designed for international businesses, mainly aviation-dependent businesses, IBC-II (3,274,000sqm) comes with a $6 billion price tag and will be the last word in leisure and entertainment.
The IBC-II has two key features which are its connection to the airport and its waterfront access. When landing or departing from Seoul, one cannot miss the view of IBC-II from the airplane.
IBC-II as a core of the AirCity development project will be the tourism hub of North East Asia, attracting lots of visitors from around the world.
The resort will have a variety of casino, leisure, hotel and entertainment venues. There will be the combination of luxury entertainment hotels, exclusive boutique hotels, wedding chapels and indoor/outdoor malls. The entertainment venues are diverse and include sporting, art, nightlife, cinema, gaming and theatre events.
Water Park
There is a water basin at the southern part of Incheon International Airport where IIAC is planning to utilise the area as a water sports and leisure centre to be an emblematic major public amenity that attracts people.
Therefore IIAC makes an innovative development ongoing to transform the south water basin into a leading water sports facility dubbed the Water Park with the Korean Sports Promotion Foundation.
Once completed in late 2010 the Water Park will boast a 97,000sqm land development and its magnificent waterways will play host to the world's Class F1 Power Boat race and various international water sporting events, providing visitors with brand new exciting water sporting experiences. Once the Water Park is connected to the passenger terminal, hotels, entertainment and commercial facilities will be developed.
