More trips abroad, Japan’s disaster recovery crowds transport hub


A record number of people will go through Incheon International Airport on July 30, the airport’s operators said Thursday.

According to the airport’s estimates, the number of people using international and domestic flights to and from the airport on July 30 will come in at 118,547. The figure is about 2 percent higher than the previous record of 116,273 seen on Aug. 1, 2010. Of the total estimated to use the airport on the day, about 57,000 are scheduled to take outbound flights.

In addition, the airport said that the number of people using the facility each day between July 23 and Aug. 21 is also expected to increase by 2.6 percent in comparison to the same period last year to 108,954. During the same period last year, 106,217 people arrived and left from the Incheon International Airport.

The airport’s operators added that from July 29 and Aug. 7, the daily figures are expected to be well over 110,000, with the figure peaking on July 30 when 118,547 people are scheduled to arrive and leave from the facility.

The airport attributed the projected increase to the travel industry recovering from the effects of the March disasters in Japan, and to the continued rise in demand for overseas trips.

With the number of passengers using the airport projected to hit new highs, Incheon International Airport warned that those taking flights between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., and between 7 and 9 p.m. should arrive at the airport earlier than the recommended time.

During the peak vacation season, the airport recommends passengers arrive at the facility about three hours ahead of departure time.

By Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)