Commuter Buses Off-Limits for Security Staff from Different Companies Despite 4-5 a.m. Start Times

[Outdated Infrastructure Blocking Foreign Tourists]
Commuter Buses for Security Screening Staff Still "Illegal"
Joint Commuter Buses for Early Morning Shifts "Prohibited"
To Protect Bus Industry Profitability and Clarify Accident Liability
Som

There are growing calls to ease regulations on commuter buses to facilitate smoother commutes for airport staff. In order to prepare for the so-called "peak times" when departure halls are most crowded, security screening personnel must arrive at the airport around 4 to 5 a.m. However, there are few transportation options available for early morning shifts. Outdated regulations prevent the airport from providing its own commuting solutions.

Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 Departure Hall. Photo by Moon Honam

According to airport and industry sources on September 24, the government's review of the industry's request to lift the "joint commuter bus" regulation has been ongoing for over three years. Under current law, it is illegal for multiple companies to jointly use chartered buses for employee commutes. The Passenger Transport Service Act stipulates through its enforcement decree that only employees of a single company may ride on a commuter bus.

Although three years have passed since the request for regulatory relaxation, the government maintains its stance of "long-term review," citing the need to protect the profitability of the bus industry and concerns over unclear liability in the event of accidents. An industry insider stated, "Companies that dispatch security screening staff to Incheon Airport are mostly small businesses, so it is difficult to increase the number of commuter buses. Since it is illegal for employees from different companies to share the same bus, it is hard to get staff to work."

There are concerns that congestion at the departure halls could recur during this Chuseok holiday period. While it once took only about 20 minutes to pass through security screening, last winter saw unprecedented congestion at the airport, with wait times exceeding one hour.

An official from Incheon Airport stated, "To prepare for congestion, we increased the number of security personnel by 119 in July, raising the total from 1,924 to 2,043. All 28 security screening lanes at Terminal 1 and 27 lanes at Terminal 2 have been replaced with new equipment, and for Terminal 2, seven additional new lanes will be introduced next month."

Some have also suggested introducing a "paid fast-track" service. This service would allow passengers who pay a certain fee or hold a specific airline or credit card membership tier to receive priority for security screening and immigration procedures. All of the world's top 30 airports, except for Incheon Airport, including Singapore Changi, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, Istanbul in T?rkiye, and Amsterdam Schiphol, already offer paid fast-track services.

Lee Hakjae, CEO of Incheon International Airport Corporation, stated, "We have attempted to introduce the service several times, but due to concerns that public opinion might be negative, we have only partially implemented it recently, and only for immigration screening of foreign businesspeople."

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