74.07 Million Passengers, Seoul Incheon International Airport Achieves Its Biggest Year Ever in 2025

Incheon International Airport handled a record 74.07 million passengers last year, marking the highest annual total since the airport opened in 2001. According to Incheon International Airport Corporation, the total number of passengers reached 74,071,475 in 2024, up 4 percent from 71.16 million a year earlier. Daily passenger traffic averaged about 203,000 people.

This figure surpasses the previous all-time high recorded in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, when passenger numbers stood at just over 71.16 million. The recovery and subsequent growth highlight the speed at which international travel demand has rebounded in Northeast Asia.

Airport officials attributed the increase to several factors. Extended holiday periods during Lunar New Year and Chuseok boosted outbound and inbound travel, while China’s temporary visa-free entry policy for Korean travelers helped stimulate demand. In addition, airlines expanded capacity on short-haul routes to nearby destinations such as Japan and China, making overseas travel more accessible and frequent.

By route, Southeast Asia accounted for the largest share of passengers using Incheon Airport, followed by Japan, China, other parts of Asia, and North America. The strong performance of short- and medium-haul routes reflects changing travel patterns, with leisure-focused trips leading the recovery.

Aircraft movements also rose during the year. Total flights reached 425,760, an increase of 3 percent from 413,200 in 2023, averaging 1,166 takeoffs and landings per day. Air cargo volume edged up slightly by 0.2 percent to 2.95 million tonnes.

The latest figures reinforce Incheon’s position as a major aviation hub in the Asia-Pacific region, as passenger demand continues to normalize and expand beyond pre-pandemic levels.