Korea Airport Corp. Labor Union Advocates for Regional Airport Revival
As South Korea considers integrating its airport operations under Korea Airport Corp. (KAC), Incheon International Airport Corp. (IIAC), and Gadeokdo New Airport Construction Authority, the KAC labor union is emphasizing the critical need to revitalize regional airports and address regional imbalance.
In a statement released Wednesday, the KAC labor union argued, “The government’s policy of prioritizing Incheon Airport as a global hub has led to its rapid growth, but simultaneously exacerbated structural problems in other airports across the nation.”
KAC, responsible for managing 14 airports nationwide (excluding Incheon), has traditionally relied on revenue generated from major international airports like Gimpo, Gimhae, and Jeju to subsidize smaller regional airports and newly constructed facilities.
“For over two decades, KAC has maintained frozen airport fees in accordance with the government’s hub policy for Incheon Airport, aiming to minimize the financial burden on the public. However, this system is now reaching its limitations,” the KAC labor union stated.
“Given the ongoing decline in regional populations, a shift in airport operation policy is necessary to prioritize balanced national development and public service,” they added.
The KAC labor union urged the government to explore optimizing international flight routes to stimulate local tourism and bolster the overall global competitiveness of Korean airports.
Conversely, the Incheon International Airport Corp. labor union held a press conference in front of Incheon City Hall on the same day, directly opposing the KAC labor union’s position. They warned that integrating airport operators could negatively impact Incheon’s financial stability and investment capabilities.
“Such integration could hinder Incheon Airport’s ability to compete effectively on the global stage,” the IIAC labor union asserted.
“Ultimately, weakening Incheon Airport will inevitably lead to a decline in the entire Korean aviation industry.”
hwkan
