(C) AviTrader

SEOUL – Incheon International Airport, the primary gateway to South Korea, recorded its highest-ever annual passenger traffic last year, surpassing pre-pandemic levels and marking a significant milestone in the facility’s 25-year history.

According to data released by the Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC) on Sunday, January 25, 2026, a total of 74,071,475 passengers utilized the airport in 2025. This figure represents a 4.1% increase from the previous record of 71,169,722 set in 2019, and a steady climb from the 71,156,947 passengers recorded in 2024.

Surging Flight Operations and Regional Trends
The surge in traveler volume was accompanied by a record-breaking number of flight operations. The airport handled 425,760 flights last year, a 3.0% increase compared to 2024. This operational growth reflects a robust recovery in global aviation and South Korea's strengthening position as a regional transit hub.

A breakdown of international passenger traffic by region reveals shifting travel preferences:

Southeast Asia: Remained the most popular destination with 19,786,272 passengers (26.7% of total traffic), despite a 5.9% decline attributed to localized safety concerns.
Japan: Followed closely with 18,578,176 passengers (25.1%).
China: Saw a significant resurgence with 12,356,734 passengers (16.7%).
Northeast Asia & Americas: Combined for approximately 18.8% of the total volume.

Drivers of Growth: Policy and Culture
Airport authorities attribute this historic performance to several converging factors. Extended public holidays during the Lunar New Year and Chuseok seasons incentivized outbound travel. Furthermore, China’s implementation of a temporary visa-waiver program significantly bolstered exchange between the two nations.

Economic and cultural drivers also played a pivotal role. The "Hallyu" (Korean Wave) continued to draw international tourists, while a high exchange rate encouraged travelers to favor regional destinations like Japan, China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong over more expensive long-haul routes.

Cargo and Future Outlook
While passenger numbers soared, the airport’s logistics sector maintained steady performance. Total air cargo reached 2,954,684 tons, a modest 0.3% increase from the previous year.

As Incheon Airport enters 2026, the record-breaking figures underscore its resilience and its central role in Northeast Asian logistics and tourism. Industry experts suggest that if current trends in visa liberalization and cultural exports continue, the airport is well-positioned to maintain its growth trajectory throughout the coming year.