Assemblyman Kim Hoe-jae, "Securing 400 Parking Spaces at Yeosu Airport,"

"Positive Review of Upgrade to International Airport Status Promised"

At the October 15 National Assembly Audit, Korea Airports Corporation President Responded, "We Will Secure 400 Parking Spaces"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik] Kim Hoe-jae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (Yeosu-eul, Jeonnam), announced on the 15th during the National Assembly audit of Korea Airports Corporation that he secured a promise to add 400 parking spaces at Yeosu Airport.

At the audit, Rep. Kim pointed out, “Although the aviation industry suffered a severe blow due to COVID-19, the demand at Yeosu Airport was the only one among major domestic airports nationwide to increase,” adding, “While demand is surging, infrastructure for passenger convenience has not improved, and the parking lot issue is at a serious level.”

Looking at the usage of Yeosu Airport parking lot, 84,272 vehicles used it in 2019, and 86,773 vehicles in 2020. As of September 2021, the number had already surpassed the previous year’s usage, with a total of 93,237 vehicles using Yeosu Airport parking lot.

In response, Son Chang-wan, President of Korea Airports Corporation, said, “We are preparing a budget of 4.4 billion won and will secure 400 parking spaces from the existing 160 to cope with the exponentially increasing demand.”

Yeosu Airport has been experiencing severe parking difficulties due to an increase in domestic route operations and passenger numbers driven by a rise in tourists.

In 2019, Yeosu Airport operated 5,002 flights with 635,000 passengers. Despite COVID-19 in 2020, it operated 5,846 flights with 647,000 passengers, a 2% increase compared to the previous year. As of September 2021, the number of passengers had already exceeded last year’s figure, with over 800,000 passengers using Yeosu Airport on 5,909 flights.

Rep. Kim Hoe-jae emphasized the need to actively discuss the upgrade of Yeosu Airport to an international airport in preparation for the surging tourism demand in Yeosu and the increasing international passenger demand expected from COP28 in 2023 and the 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo. In response, President Son Chang-wan said, “Yeosu Airport meets the conditions for upgrading to an international airport,” and “We will consider it positively.”

Rep. Kim stated, “With this parking lot expansion, Yeosu citizens and tourists will be able to use Yeosu Airport more conveniently,” and added, “We will continue efforts not only to improve resident convenience and passenger satisfaction but also to actively cooperate with Yeosu City, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and the Airports Corporation to promote discussions on upgrading Yeosu Airport to an international airport, so that Yeosu can grow as a key axis in the southern central region of the South Coast.”

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr

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