# Incheon airport hits record Chuseok traffic and local infra

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/incheon-airport-traffic-and-yeongjong-infrastructure-demands
> Updated: 2026-09-28T05:29:54.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 3.

Incheon International Airport has successfully navigated a record-breaking Chuseok holiday period. Between September 23 and 27, the airport recorded its highest-ever passenger numbers for the holiday, totaling 1,099,025 travelers. This represents a 1% increase over the previous year, with a daily average of 219,805 passengers. International travel was largely concentrated toward Japan (28.2%), Southeast Asia (21.1%), and China (19.7%).

Flight operations also reached unprecedented levels, with 6,519 total flights during the period, averaging 1,304 per day. Peak daily operations hit 1,310 flights on both September 25 and 27. To manage this surge, the Incheon International Airport Corporation implemented measures such as opening departure halls 30 minutes early, increasing the use of CT X-ray equipment, and expanding smart services like self-check-in and self-bag-drop. These efforts helped maintain low average waiting times at the Terminal 1 departure hall, with peak waits reaching only 12 minutes.

Separately, residents of Yeongjong Island continue to campaign for improved infrastructure to better connect their community to the airport. A local petition is calling for the construction of new entry and exit ramps at the Geumsan Interchange on the Incheon International Airport Expressway. Residents argue that the current configuration, which only allows access toward Seoul, forces lengthy detours via the Yeongjong IC. They contend that direct access would alleviate congestion, support local commerce, and boost tourism in the Yeongjong International City area.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-28: Incheon International Airport hits record Chuseok passenger numbers

Incheon International Airport set a record for Chuseok holiday passenger traffic, handling over 1.09 million travelers with a daily average of 219,805 passengers.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/incheon-international-airport-hits-record-chuseok-passenger-numbers

### 2026-09-22: Incheon International Airport faces record holiday traffic and local infrastructure demands

Incheon International Airport expects record passenger numbers during the Chuseok holiday, while Yeongjong residents petition for new highway access ramps to improve direct connectivity to the airport.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/incheon-international-airport-faces-record-holiday-traffic-and-local-infrastructure-demands

### 2026-09-18: Incheon official urges new Yeonan Pier Station construction

Incheon City Council member Yun Hee-jeong is urging the expansion of the Yonghyeon-Seochang Line to include a new Yeonan Pier Station to alleviate traffic congestion and support local mobility.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/incheon-official-urges-new-yeonan-pier-station-construction

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Cite as: Incheon airport hits record Chuseok traffic and local infra. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/incheon-airport-traffic-and-yeongjong-infrastructure-demands