On Oct. 20, Incheon International Airport announced the completion of its “Phase 4 construction,” which includes the expansion of Terminal 2. This expanded terminal is set to open to the public in December after seven years of development. Since 2017, a total of 4.8 trillion won (approximately $3.49 billion) has been invested in this project, which involved the construction of a fourth runway and the enlargement of Terminal 2. The aviation industry has referred to this endeavor as the “second opening” following the airport’s inauguration in 2001. Once fully operational, Incheon Airport will become the third-largest in the world, capable of accommodating 100 million passengers annually.
The most significant improvement is the doubling of Terminal 2′s size. Originally opened in January 2018, the terminal will now span 734,000 square meters, doubling its previous size. It will also feature 75 new aircraft aprons, expanding its capacity from 23 million to 52 million passengers annually. The expanded terminal, when viewed from above, forms an “H” shape, with the new sections extending from the original building. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, the combined capacity of Terminals 1 and 2 will now be 106 million passengers annually, making Incheon International Airport the largest airport in Northeast Asia and the third-largest in the world, after Hong Kong and Dubai. The fourth runway was completed in June 2021.
The airport is also set to undergo a major visual transformation. Terminal 2′s departure hall will feature a 77-meter-wide and 8-meter-tall LED display, while the arrival hall will showcase a 60-meter-wide by 6-meter-tall screen—both of which are the largest electronic displays in any airport globally. These displays will alternate between flight information, traditional Korean architectural visuals, and underwater scenes. A sculpture titled “The Eternal Sky,” depicting the movement of endangered animals such as Bengal tigers, has also been installed on the ceiling of the departure hall. In the outdoor garden at the eastern end of the boarding area, a life-sized replica of the Seungjaejeong pavilion, which is found in the rear garden of Changdeokgung Palace, has been added.
Security enhancements include upgraded screening technology, with 2D X-ray scanners being replaced by 3D systems, eliminating the need for passengers to remove personal items like laptops during screening. Additionally, the number of “smart check-in” devices, which use pre-registered biometric information for check-in without a passport or boarding pass, will increase from 210 to 316.
