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Civil society groups in Incheon have called for the rapid advancement of Incheon International Airport’s Phase 5 project and urged that the airport retain its One-Port strategy.
Resident and civic organizations — including the Yeongjong International City Federation, the Incheon Citizens’ Coalition for Economic Justice, the Incheon Citizens’ Coalition, and All That Songdo — held a press conference on the morning of the 21st in the Incheon City Hall briefing room.
The groups criticized what they called a policy shift. They said successive Basic Aviation Policy Plans from the first through the third consistently prioritized reinforcing Incheon Airport’s hub role and boosting its global competitiveness. But they contend that last year’s fourth Basic Aviation Policy Plan downgraded the Phase 5 project to a level that only considers expansion if capacity shortages occur.
They warned this is not a mere change in wording. It could indicate a pivot in South Korea’s aviation policy from an Incheon-centered One-Port approach to a regionally dispersed airport system, which would weaken the airport’s hub function and undermine national aviation competitiveness.
The groups also stressed that Phase 5 is more than a facilities expansion; it is part of the country’s long-term growth strategy.
They said the Phase 5 project encompasses a fifth runway, a third terminal, measures to strengthen transfer-hub competitiveness, and preparations to meet future air-travel demand — elements central to a national long-term growth plan. They demanded its inclusion in the seventh Comprehensive Airport Development Plan, scheduled for release in July.
The groups expressed concern about recent discussions, both inside and outside government, about a potential merger of Incheon International Airport Corporation, Korea Airports Corporation, and the Gadeokdo New Airport Construction Authority.
Noting that senior government officials have described the proposal as “under review,” they warned that a shift from a single, Incheon-centered hub strategy to a regionally dispersed model could lead to consolidation of airport state-owned enterprises, fragmented investment, operational restructuring, and further erosion of the hub function.
The groups also criticized the government and Incheon’s political leadership.
They argued that weakening the Incheon hub strategy and scaling back Phase 5 would pose a threat to South Korea’s future competitiveness and the national economy. They urged Incheon-area lawmakers and candidates in the upcoming local elections to stop remaining silent and to take a public stance in favor of advancing Phase 5 and preserving the hub strategy.
/Reporter Park Yejin yejin0613@incheonilbo.com
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