It has been confirmed that the pilot unions of the two national flag carriers asked airport limousine bus companies and Incheon International Airport Corporation to change the airport limousine routes. With the integrated airline of Korean Air and Asiana Airlines set to launch on Jan. 14 and be based at Incheon International Airport's Terminal 2 (T2), they are asking that, for the convenience of pilots, other crew members, and Korean nationals, the limousine buses stop at T2 first and then go to Terminal 1 (T1).
Bus companies say their interests differ from one another and additional infrastructure would be needed, so the decision should be made by Incheon International Airport Corporation. In contrast, Incheon International Airport Corporation says, "It is a matter for the bus companies to decide."
According to the aviation industry on the 17th, the Asiana Airlines Pilots' Union sent an official letter on the 10th of last month to Incheon International Airport Corporation and four limousine bus companies requesting an airport bus route change. The request was for the limousine buses to serve T2 first and then go to T1. The Korean Air Pilots' Union is also understood to have made the same request to Incheon International Airport Corporation.
Currently, airport limousine buses departing from various locations stop at Terminal 1 (T1) first and then go to T2. When the integrated airline launches early next year, T2 will be used mainly by national flag carriers, and T1 mainly by foreign carriers. In addition to the integrated airline, T2 also hosts major domestic low-cost carriers (LCCs) such as AIR BUSAN, AIR SEOUL, JIN AIR, and T'way Air.
As of last year, 4,460,073 passengers departed from T1 on Asiana Airlines. Recalculating under the changed terminal allocation, the number of departures via T2 would increase from 7,634,352 last year to 14,094,425. Although still fewer than T1 (17,693,075), Korean nationals are expected to be more likely to use T2.
The pilot unions say a route change is necessary not only for the convenience of Korean departing passengers but also considering passenger-facing staff who actually operate flights, such as pilots and cabin crew. A representative of the Asiana Airlines Pilots' Union said, "If you include the time for boarding and alighting, it takes more than 20 minutes to go from T1 to T2," adding, "Considering the convenience of Korean departing passengers and the workload of pilots and cabin crew operating long-haul flights, that is not a small amount of time."
Bus companies' reactions vary. First, there is the view that routes mainly serving downtown areas and hotels, which are mostly used by foreign tourists, have no reason to stop at T2 first. A representative of Bus Company A said, "We operate many routes toward downtown Seoul, so we have more foreign passengers," adding, "We believe it is right to maintain T1-first routes."
There is also an opinion that, due to a lack of infrastructure, it would be difficult to make T1 the terminus. Currently, near T2, which is the terminus, there are facilities for drivers, as well as refueling and parking, and similar facilities would be needed at T1 to change the routes. Another bus company representative also said, "A change to airport limousine bus routes would be reviewed only upon a request from the corporation that operates the airport."
In contrast, Incheon International Airport Corporation appears to be keeping its distance. An official at Incheon International Airport Corporation said, "Route changes are matters to be decided by the bus companies," adding, "We have not yet been contacted by bus companies for consultations."
Some suggest a compromise of changing only certain routes that mainly serve Korean nationals. A senior official in the aviation industry said, "Given the increase in foreign tourists, it is not possible to change all routes to T2-first," adding, "Through a request from the corporation, changes could be reviewed mainly for bus companies with many Korean passengers."