Incheon International Airport Terminal 2, opening in December, has extended both of its ends (in yellow) to accommodate more flights and passengers. Courtesy of Incheon International Airport Corp.

INCHEON — Incheon International Airport is expanding its capacity for both passengers and cargo as it aims to transform into a global mega hub, with a goal of handling over 100 million passengers annually by 2031.

Terminal 2, home to major international airlines, will reveal its expanded sections in December. It has also incorporated art, giant media walls and other passenger-focused features to enhance the visitor experience and redefine how the terminal serves travelers.

Supported by an investment of over 4.8 trillion won ($3.5 billion) and undergoing renovations since 2017, the airport's fourth phase of construction has added a new runway and extended the terminal by 600 meters at both ends, giving it a wing-like appearance.

The expansion enables the airport to accommodate an additional 29 million passengers annually. With Terminal 1's capacity of 54 million and Terminal 2's original capacity of 23 million, the airport can now handle a total of 106 million passengers per year.

The latest improvements have added 1.3 million tons to the airport's freight capacity, raising the total to 6.3 million tons annually. The number of flights it can accommodate each year has also grown by 100,000, reaching 600,000.

The expanded terminal now offers 75 additional docks for aircraft on the apron, bringing the airport's total docking capacity to 285. A new 43-kilometer conveyor belt for luggage transportation extends the total system to 184 kilometers, allowing for the efficient handling of baggage. For visitors arriving by car, the expansion has added over 25,000 parking spaces, increasing the airport's capacity to accommodate more than 48,000 parked vehicles.

Above the arrival exit at Terminal 2 is a giant media wall showing real-time locations of approaching flights to the airport. Courtesy of Incheon International Airport Corp.

From its opening in 2001 until 2019, the airport experienced an average annual growth of 7.5 percent in international passenger traffic. To meet the growing demand, the expansion has completed over 92 percent of its 3,827 tasks — ranging from construction and airport operations to testing, administrative preparations, and employee training — as of last month. Incheon International Airport Corp., the state-run operator, has been conducting comprehensive simulations of the new terminal's operations, including handling 300,000 pieces of mock luggage and testing emergency scenarios to refine its response protocols.

The company announced that, as the merger process between Korean Air and Asiana Airlines enters its final phase, both airlines will be fully operating their flights from the new terminal.

Spaces innovated

The expanded sections distinguish themselves from the existing terminal by showcasing aesthetic features on a grand scale.

The Eternal Sky, a massive art installation on the ceiling of each wing, features 980 louvers that move in unison. Measuring 75 meters in length and 12.5 meters wide, these kinetic structures mimic the movements of endangered species, such as eagles in flight, sea turtles swimming and tigers walking, according to the company.

At the ends of the wings are "garden tips," allowing passengers waiting inside the terminal to step outside for a refreshing break. The east wing features a traditional Korean square pavilion set in a courtyard, complete with a roofed wooden floor. Meanwhile, the west wing showcases a lawn area ideal for outdoor exhibitions.

At the garden tip of Terminal 2's east wing is a traditional Korean square pavilion, providing passengers waiting inside the terminal with a peaceful outdoor space. Courtesy of Incheon International Airport Corp.

Adjacent to the garden tips are Korean traditional cultural centers that offer experience programs, performances, exhibitions and shops, showcasing and promoting the country's rich cultural heritage to visitors.

In the expanded sections of Terminal 2, giant media walls capture visitors' attention on both the departure and arrival floors. Above the arrival exit, a nearly 60-meter-long and 6.25-meter-high screen displays real-time information about approaching flights, including their estimated arrival times and locations relative to the airport. For departing passengers, a massive screen measuring over 77 meters long and 8.45 meters high adds to the dynamic atmosphere.

To minimize the time between obtaining a boarding pass and boarding a flight, the new terminal has introduced Smart Pass, a digitized information processing system that the company began testing in July 2023. This system uses facial recognition technology to identify passengers based on features registered online, eliminating the need to check passports or boarding passes. The company stated that the system's facial recognition software has been certified by the United States' National Institute of Standards and Technology.

"Establishing a mega hub international airport that serves over 100 million passengers each year has been our goal since the company was founded," said Cho Won-gi, director of the terminal construction team. "As we approach this milestone, marking 30 years of operation, the completion of our latest construction represents Incheon Airport's ‘second' grand opening."