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Photo = Asiana Airlines |
[Alpha Biz= Reporter Kim Sangjin] Asiana Airlines is expected to move from Incheon International Airport's Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 by mid-2024, following its merger with Korean Air.
According to industry sources on the 15th, Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC) is preparing for Asiana’s relocation to Terminal 2, which is primarily used by Korean Air. The expansion of Terminal 2 is set to be completed by the end of this month, with an official opening event scheduled, attended by key government officials. The airport plans to begin full operations of the terminal next month.
However, the actual shift to a single terminal is anticipated to take longer, possibly until July 2024. This is because Asiana will need to move various systems, including passenger services for check-in, ticketing, reservation management, and other operational infrastructure. These systems involve contracts with external vendors, which must be renewed and reconfigured, requiring time and coordination with Incheon Airport and related service providers.
Incheon International Airport Corporation noted that, given the ongoing approval process by the European Commission for the merger between Korean Air and Asiana, the relocation of Asiana’s operations to Terminal 2 is expected after July 2024.
The congestion at Terminal 1 will likely remain for the time being, as it currently hosts 70 out of 79 airlines operating at the airport. Terminal 2, which is used by Korean Air, Jin Air, and Delta Airlines, accommodates just nine airlines. In 2023, Terminal 1 handled 69.2% of passenger traffic, while Terminal 2 handled 30.8%.
With the expansion of Terminal 2, its capacity will increase from 23 million to 52 million passengers annually. Asiana's low-cost affiliates, Air Busan and Air Seoul, are also preparing to move to the new terminal.
AlphaBIZ Kim SangJin(letyou@alphabiz.co.kr)
