The Korean gateway's fast-track success story looks set to continue with the building of a hi-tech Maglev rail link to serve the surrounding area. Mike Toynbee reports
Airports are not, by their very nature, places people 'choose' to use. They are, by necessity, the gateway through which the travelling public is required to start or end their journey. Which makes it all the more rewarding when an airport emerges at the top of the satisfaction ratings. Seoul's Incheon International achieved just that earlier this year in the OAG's annual Airline of the Year poll, adding to a string of successes in recent years. In the six years since it opened, the airport has established an enviable international reput-ation, along with Singapore's Changi, Amsterdam's Schiphol and Hong Kong's Chek Lap Kok, as a gateway travellers actually enjoy using. It should come as little surprise. Incheon is a model of efficiency, spacious and well laid out, designed to meet the needs of the modern traveller. Furthermore, this fast-track success story looks set to continue with the announcement that a Maglev – magnetic levitation – rail line is to be built, linking the airport with the Yongyu business district. This is in addition to the intra-airport rail service, opened in March this year, connecting Incheon with Gimpo, which now handles mainly domestic flights. The new line is to be linked to Seoul's subway system, extending the service to the city centre by 2010. The Maglev project, the first in Korea, will not be the high-speed version of the type that operates from Shanghai airport, but with trains travelling on an electromagnetic "cushion" at speeds of up to 110kph. Once the feasibility studies are complete, work is expected to start on the initial 6.1km of track in 2009, with completion by 2012. A second phase is planned to extend the line to 37.4km, circling the man-made island of Yeongjong on which the airport is located. ``The construction of the magnetic levitation train line means that South Korea will develop an eco-friendly, hi-tech means of transportation with its own technology and own capital," says Korea's Ministry of Construction and Transportation in a statement. Maglev trains use electromagnetic force to “float” a few inches above the ground. As there is no physical friction other than air resistance, they can achieve high speeds without creating as much noise and vibration as conventional, wheeled trains. Shanghai's airport link to Pudong runs at a maximum speed of 430kph, while Aichi, in Japan, operates a slower version over a 8.9km track. As well as improved transport links, the airport is on track to fulfill its ambition of becoming a Global Top Five hub by 2010. This includes the completion of the airport's second phase of construction, which will see its passenger handling capability increased by between 50% and 70%. Passenger numbers in 2006 exceeded 27.6 million, and earlier this year the airport achieved the mile-stone of welcoming its millionth flight since opening in 2001. Aircraft movements have recorded an average annual growth of around 12% and are set this year to soar by an impressive 20%. Members of the SkyTeam alliance, which include Korean Air, are relocating to the east side of a terminal, with Star Alliance carriers, including Asiana Airlines, occupying the west side. All remaining carriers will be located in the central area. All of which should help ensure that Incheon remains a favourite with air travellers and that the accolades will continue to roll in.
At-a-glance guide
Location: 52km (32 miles) west of the city centre on Yeongjono island in the Yellow Sea, linked to the mainland by Freeway 130
Transport links: bus services to central Seoul operate every 10-15 minutes, with a journey time of around 65 minutes and costing KRW6,000 (US$6.60); buses also serve the main hotels, including the Lotte and Chosun among others. Taxis to the city centre take roughly one hour, depending on traffic, and cost approximately KRW44,000 (US$49). Jumbo taxis, seating up to nine passengers, are a cheaper option. An intra-airport rail link to Gimpo International, which handles domestic flights, opened earlier this year, with one-way tickets costing KRW3,100/US$3.50 (standard) and KRW7,900/US$8.70 (express)
Annual passenger throughput: 27.6 million (2006)
Minimum connecting time: 40 minutes (domestic) to 70 minutes (international)
Executive lounges: all the major airlines provide lounge access to premium passengers and frequent flyer programme members
Facilities: two terminals; two business centres (Diners Cub and Paradise Business Centre); medical centre, pharmacy; Internet access; mobile phone hire; courier service; massage; prayer room; left luggage and lost property office; children's room, full range of duty- and tax-free outlets, featuring designer names such as Boss, Burberry, Bvlgari, Cartier, Chanel, Dunhill, Fendi, Hermes, Max Mara and Versace; also sports wear and golf equipment, electronics, CDs, toys, custom jewellery and accessories, traditional Korean craftwork; food and beverage outlets, from Asian to Western food courts, snacks to cocktails
Banks/cashpoints: eight foreign exchange booths
Airport hotels: Air Garden transit hotel (within the terminal), Hyatt Regency, Best Western, New Airport, Queen, Sky
Car rental desks: Avis, Kumho
Website: www.airport.or.kr
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