Woo Hyeongchan, Chair of Seoul City Council Transportation Committee, "Government and Seoul City Must Actively Support Gimpo Airport Relocation"

Incheon International Airport, Increased Passenger Capacity with Expansion of 4th and 5th Runways, Improved Accessibility with Railway Line Expansion... Possible Replacement of Gimpo Airport by Cheongju Airport, Expected Resolution of Nearby SOC Deficits and Expansion of Housing Supply... Chairman Woo Hyung-chan Emphasizes "Need for Policy and Related Agencies' Efforts for Feasibility of Gimpo Airport Relocation"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Woo Hyung-chan, Chair of the Seoul Metropolitan Council Transportation Committee (Democratic Party, Yangcheon 3), welcomed the pledge regarding airport relocation and development directions ahead of the presidential election, urging the relocation of Gimpo Airport as a feasible alternative and calling on the government and Seoul city to take active measures.

Chairman Woo Hyung-chan stated that the 4th runway of Incheon International Airport opened and has been in operation since June, and upon completion of the planned 5th runway, Incheon International Airport is expected to accommodate 140 million passengers annually.

Incheon International Airport Corporation has been operating the 4th runway since 1 a.m. on June 17, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is promoting the construction of the 5th runway considering future increases in passenger demand.

Chairman Woo said, “Experts advise that integrating the functions of Gimpo Airport, which faces operational limitations due to its proximity to the city center, into Incheon International Airport, which is more favorable for aircraft operations, is advantageous not only for airport operations but also from an industrial perspective.”

In the case of Cheongju Airport, continuous investments and efforts are being made to serve as an alternative airport for large F-class aircraft landings following Gimpo and Jeju Airports, thus it can replace the current Gimpo Airport.

Meanwhile, the increase in airport railroad services and the establishment of GTX lines and other metropolitan express railways will improve accessibility to Incheon International Airport from anywhere in the metropolitan area, creating a three-dimensional and integrated transportation system between the airport and the railway network.

Ultimately, through the functional transfer to Incheon International Airport, internally within Seoul, it is expected to resolve disadvantages such as airport noise, air pollution, and height restrictions experienced by residents in the southwestern region of Seoul, as well as address real estate supply issues by providing quality housing on the remaining Gimpo Airport site.

Furthermore, on a national level, positive effects are anticipated in various sectors, including the export of urban infrastructure through smart city development, elimination of deficits through the restored roles of the airport railroad, Incheon Bridge, and Yeongjong Bridge, and achieving national balance through the revitalization of Cheongju and Gunsan Airports.

Chairman Woo Hyung-chan emphasized, “The relocation of Gimpo Airport is no longer a unilateral demand from local residents but a feasible policy. Going forward, the Transportation Committee and the Special Committee on Aircraft Noise of the Seoul Metropolitan Council will focus more intensively on this issue,” and welcomed the pledge regarding airport relocation and development directions ahead of the presidential election, strongly urging the government and Seoul city to actively proceed with the relocation of Gimpo Airport as a feasible alternative.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.