[CEONEWS = Reporter Park Soo-nam] Lee Hak-jae, the president of Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC), is spearheading the global operations and development of the airport. Born in 1965, he graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in Business Administration and earned an MBA from Georgetown University in the United States. Lee is a seasoned expert in airport operations and management, with extensive experience in improving airport efficiency and service quality through various roles.
His management philosophy emphasizes customer-centric service and sustainable development. President Lee stated, "Incheon International Airport must transcend its role as a mere transportation hub and establish itself as a global center for business and culture." To this end, he has been actively advancing infrastructure improvements and service innovations.
In particular, he is committed to digital transformation and the construction of a smart airport. By utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) and big data, the airport is improving operational efficiency and offering personalized services, with the ultimate goal of becoming one of the world's top airports. "We will continue to strive to exceed customer expectations by providing exceptional service," he added.
Under Lee Hak-jae's leadership, Incheon International Airport Corporation is expected to further strengthen its competitiveness in the global aviation market and achieve sustainable growth as a forward-looking airport.
"Taking Off as the World's Third-Largest Mega Hub Airport"
Incheon International Airport, the gateway to South Korea, has completed its fourth-phase expansion project and joined the ranks of global mega hub airports.
IIAC, in collaboration with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, held the "Incheon Airport Phase 4 Grand Opening Ceremony" on the morning of November 29, with full operations commencing on December 3.
The fourth-phase expansion project (total investment: KRW 4.8 trillion), which began in 2017, included the construction of a fourth runway, 75 aircraft stands (62 for passengers and 13 for cargo), and the expansion of Terminal 2.
With the addition of the fourth runway and a significantly expanded passenger terminal, the airport now accommodates 106 million annual passengers (77 million previously + 29 million new capacity for international routes), making it the world's third-largest airport. It is also the first airport globally to feature two terminals capable of handling over 50 million international passengers each.
Cargo handling capacity has also been increased from 5 million tons to 6.3 million tons, establishing the airport as the world's second-largest air cargo hub and solidifying its role as a semiconductor logistics hub, handling 98% of South Korea's semiconductor exports.
The fourth-phase project has created a new aviation ecosystem, including Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities, cargo terminals, and integrated tourism and cultural facilities. These developments are expected to generate an economic ripple effect of approximately KRW 1.7 trillion, significantly contributing to economic revitalization.
Smart security services have also been greatly enhanced, offering faster and more convenient airport experiences for passengers during security checks and boarding procedures.
Through the introduction of AI and biometric recognition, the "Smart Pass" system allows for simple identity verification without repeatedly presenting passports or boarding passes.
Furthermore, automated security screening systems have accelerated security procedures while ensuring thorough safety management, achieving both operational efficiency and security excellence. The airport now offers world-class immigration processing speeds.
Incheon Airport has evolved from a space solely for boarding and deplaning into a cultural and artistic complex where visitors can spend meaningful time. It provides foreign travelers with opportunities to experience the beauty of Korean culture.
Art installations and digital content displayed in the "Art-Port" section offer visitors unique experiences, while outdoor gardens within the terminals provide environmentally friendly, restful spaces under the concept of "an airport within a park."
Lee Hak-jae, the president of IIAC, stated, "With the completion of the fourth-phase construction project and the grand opening, Incheon Airport aims to solidify its position as the world's third-largest mega hub airport, securing a competitive edge over rival airports and elevating South Korea's aviation industry."
Achieving the First 'AI+ Certification' Among Public Enterprises... Leading Digital Innovation
IIAC has become the first public enterprise to receive the AI+ certification awarded by the Korean Standards Association (KSA).
AI+ certification is the world’s first quality certification system in the AI sector, developed by the KSA based on international standards from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). It evaluates reliability, security, and quality improvement processes through rigorous examination procedures.
As the first public enterprise to obtain this certification, IIAC's digital service reliability and excellence have been officially recognized. The certification also validates the airport's digital transformation efforts since the declaration of a "Digital Grand Transition" in March this year.
The certified service, "Incheon Airport Smart AI Solution," uses AI to automatically categorize requests and inquiries received via the airport's website, generating data-driven responses tailored to each department.
This platform allows airport users to receive faster and more accurate responses to their inquiries, while also improving the efficiency of customer service operations.
President Lee Hak-jae commented, "This milestone reflects our commitment to digital innovation in airport operations. We will continue to expand AI-powered personalized services to enhance passenger experiences and lead digital transformation in the aviation industry."
Third Quarter Passenger Record Achieved Since Opening
In the third quarter of this year, Incheon Airport recorded its highest quarterly passenger volume since its opening in 2001, with 18,156,842 international passengers.
This surpasses the previous record of 17,924,471 passengers set in the third quarter of 2019 by 1.3% and represents a 17.8% increase compared to the same period last year.
On August 4, during the summer peak season, the airport recorded the highest daily international passenger volume since the pandemic, with 223,640 passengers.
This performance is attributed to increased passenger demand during the summer peak season and the Chuseok holiday, as well as record-breaking passenger volumes on routes to Japan and the Americas and a gradual recovery in demand for routes to China.
By region, passenger volumes were distributed as follows: Southeast Asia (27.7%), Japan (24.2%), China (16.0%), the Americas (9.9%), and Northeast Asia (9.5%). Routes to China, which had been the slowest to recover, reached a recovery rate of 79.8% compared to the third quarter of 2019.
This year’s third-quarter international flight operations reached a record 105,672, surpassing the previous high of 102,363 in the third quarter of 2019 by 3.2%. This reflects a 99.5% recovery in passenger flights compared to 2019 and a sustained increase in cargo flights, which are up 42.5% compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Transfer passengers in the third quarter totaled 2,185,163, marking a 9.4% increase compared to the third quarter of 2023 and achieving a 98.4% recovery rate compared to the same period in 2019. The rise is attributed to increased transfer demand on U.S.-China routes via Incheon amid U.S.-China tensions.
International cargo volume in the third quarter was 726,555 tons, up 4.1% year-on-year, driven by the growth of e-commerce and robust export performance. Each quarter this year has seen increased cargo volume compared to the previous year.
President Lee Hak-jae commented, "By completing the fourth-phase expansion project as scheduled later this year, we will continue to meet growing aviation demand and provide safer and more convenient airport services for the public."
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