New Incheon terminal to add efficiency, facilitate trans-Pacific traffic

Terminal 2 to be more transit friendly and incorporate greater technology and automation

Incheon Airport Terminal 2 (T2) will open on January 18, 2018, and be the new home for the nation’s flagship carrier Korean Air.

A total of four airlines will operate out of T2 – Korean Air, Delta Air Lines, Air France and KLM – all SkyTeam members. All passengers using these airlines will check in and board flights at T2 instead of Terminal 1 (T1).

The new terminal is expected to maximise the synergy effect of Korean Air and Delta Air Line’s trans-Pacific joint venture by laying out transit facilities near to each other, according to a Korean Air statement. When the joint venture is in effect, the airline’s Pacific and South-east Asian network in combination with Delta’s US routes could bring to Incheon an increase in transit passengers.

Terminal 2 to be more transit friendly and incorporate technology and automation

Korean Air, which has participated in the construction of T2 from design to planning, will have an increase number of check-in kiosks as well as automated bag-drop machines at T2.

T2 will also have about 2.4 times wider space in the customer waiting room, security check and check-in counters for transit passengers than in T1.

Designed to “eradicate problems that occurred in T1” such as operating multiple security checks and immigration services, T2 will have these centralised into two sections. It will further introduce 24 of the newest screening devices, which will enhance the security process and save time. The technology in T2 is expected to reduce passenger check-in, immigration and transit time by up to 20 minutes compared to in T1.

T2 also will launch location-based services, which will work with passengers’ smartphones to provide information such as boarding pass, lounge location, flight time when passengers are close to the departure gate.

Also notable are kiosks that can print both boarding passes and baggage tags, in addition to other smart technologies, such as guidance robots and flight information display system that provides two-way information.

And to shorten passengers’ waiting time for their checked luggage, a high-speed system transporting baggage has been deployed in T2, while the design of the carousel has also been modified to an upward conveyor type hoped to better prevent baggage damage.

Meanwhile, the transportation centre 2, where public transportation facilities such as bus and airport train are in one building, is located right beside T2, cutting travelling distance from 233m to T1 to 59m to T2.

The new terminal will also feature a premium check-in lounge for Korean Air’s First Class passengers, while Prestige Class passengers and frequent flyers such as Million Miler Club and Morning Calm Premium members will be welcomed at ‘Premium Check-in Counters’. The Premium check-in Lounge will offer concierge service, including check-in, baggage check, immigration information, and welcome drinks.

As well, adapting efficient technology such as natural lighting, natural ventilation and renewable energy, T2 is expected to save about 40 per cent of energy compared with T1.

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