The pilot unions of the two flag carriers have asked limousine bus companies and the Incheon International Airport Corp. to change airport limousine routes. With Asiana Airlines set to move to Terminal 2 (T2) at Incheon International Airport starting Jan. 14 ahead of the launch of the integrated carrier of Korean Air and Asiana Airlines in early 2027, they want the limousine buses to stop at T2 first and then go to Terminal 1 (T1), taking into account the convenience of pilots, cabin crew, and Korean nationals.
Bus companies say their interests differ and additional infrastructure is needed, so it is a matter for the Incheon International Airport Corp. to decide. The Incheon International Airport Corp., however, is saying, "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 the Incheon International Airport Corp. and four limousine bus companies requesting changes to airport bus routes. The request was for limousine buses to call at T2 first and then proceed to T1. It was later learned that the Korean Air pilots' union made the same request to the Incheon International Airport Corp.
Currently, airport limousine buses departing from various locations stop at Terminal 1 (T1) first and then go to T2. When the integrated carrier launches in early 2027, T2 will mainly be used by flag carriers, and T1 will mainly be used by foreign airlines. In addition to the integrated carrier, 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. Recalculated under the changed terminal arrangement, the number of departures via T2 would increase from 7,634,352 last year to 14,094,425. It would still be fewer than T1 (17,693,075), but Korean nationals are expected to be more likely to use T2.
The pilot unions say route changes are needed for the convenience of departing Korean nationals and considering flight personnel such as pilots and cabin crew who actually operate flights. An official at the Asiana Airlines pilots' union said, "It takes more than 20 minutes to get from T1 to T2 when you factor in the time for boarding and alighting," adding, "Given the convenience of departing Korean nationals and the workload of pilots and cabin crew on long-haul operations, that is not a small amount of time."
Bus companies are responding in different ways. First, for routes focused on downtown and hotels that are mainly used by foreign tourists, there is an opinion that there is no reason to stop at T2 first. An official at Bus Company A said, "We operate many routes heading toward downtown Seoul, so we have more foreign passengers," adding, "We believe it is right to keep T1-first routes."
There is also an opinion that it is difficult to make T1 the terminus due to a lack of infrastructure. Currently, near T2, which is the terminus, there are driver amenities and refueling and parking facilities, and similar facilities would be needed at T1 to enable route changes. Another bus company official also said, "Changes to airport limousine bus routes are reviewed when there is a request from the operating authority, the corporation."
The Incheon International Airport Corp., meanwhile, appears to be stepping back. An official at the Incheon International Airport Corp. said, "Route changes are something bus companies must decide," adding, "We have not yet received any contact from bus companies seeking consultations."
Some suggest a compromise to change only certain routes used mainly by Korean nationals. A senior aviation industry official said, "Given the increase in foreign tourists, it is not possible to change all routes to T2-first," adding, "It may be possible to review changes through requests from the corporation, focusing on bus companies with many Korean passengers."