Incheon Airport Begins Full Operation of 'Four Runways' in September... Comprehensive Test Operation Underway

[Financial News] Incheon International Airport Corporation announced on the 6th that it conducted a joint comprehensive test operation with related agencies ahead of the full resumption of the second runway at Incheon Airport.
Under the supervision of Lee Hak-jae, President of Incheon International Airport Corporation, the comprehensive test operation was attended by Kwon Hyuk-jin, Director of the Seoul Regional Aviation Administration, and officials from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Seoul Regional Aviation Administration, Incheon International Airport Corporation, Korean Air, Korean Pilots Association, and Korea Airports Corporation, with about 70 key institution officials participating.
During the comprehensive test operation, actual aircraft were mobilized to move along the second runway, inspecting all elements necessary for the safe operation of aircraft from the pilot's perspective, such as the condition of runway and taxiway pavement, guidance sign markings, and the normal operation of aviation lights.
The corporation plans to conduct a total of six comprehensive test operations, including the one conducted on this day. Based on this, they plan to supplement any deficiencies and fully resume the operation of the second runway by the end of September. Incheon Airport secured a total of four runways with the opening of the fourth runway in June 2021, but has been operating a total of three runways while conducting repaving and improvement work on the existing outdated runways.
When the second runway at Incheon Airport begins full operation in September, Incheon Airport will operate four runways simultaneously for the first time since its opening in 2001.
Through this, the annual aircraft handling capacity of Incheon Airport (based on facility capacity) is expected to increase from the current 500,000 times per year (90 times per hour) to 600,000 times per year (108 times per hour), significantly improving the safety and punctuality of aircraft operations.
In addition, through the improvement work on the second runway, six new high-speed exit taxiways necessary for rapid aircraft movement in emergency situations have been added, expanding from the existing six to a total of 12, thereby improving runway operation efficiency by about 27% compared to the past.
Lee Hak-jae, President of Incheon International Airport Corporation, said, "With the completion of the repaving of the second runway, we will be able to operate four runways simultaneously for the first time since the airport's opening, enhancing the safety of aircraft operations and further strengthening Incheon Airport's hub competitiveness," adding, "We plan to make every effort for the successful resumption of the second runway's operation by collecting opinions from related agencies and supplementing operational deficiencies through comprehensive test operations."
hoya0222@fnnews.com Kim Dong-ho Reporter