Incheon International Airport held a topping-out ceremony on Tuesday for its second terminal, set to open next year, the airport announced.

A topping-out ceremony commemorates the completion of the framework of a new building by fitting the last piece of the structure on top. 

The terminal, however, will not be open to the public until the end of 2017, just ahead of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics.

“Incheon Airport will establish itself as a leading global airport through top-notch safety, efficiency and convenience after the successful opening of the second terminal next year,” said Incheon International Airport Corp. CEO Chung Il-young.

As the centerpiece of Incheon International Airport’s 3 Phase Construction Project, the airport’s second terminal began construction in September 2013.

The 3 Phase Project -- estimated to cost up to 5 trillion won ($4.35 billion) -- was launched in efforts to expand the infrastructure of the nation’s largest airport to support the steadily increasing passengers and cargo.

Once the project is complete, Incheon International Airport will be able to service 72 million passengers and 5.8 million tons of cargo annually.

By Won Ho-jung (hjwon@heraldcorp.com)