"Air Conditioning on Full Blast and Even Free"...An Unexpected 'Hot Spot' for Seniors Amid Heat Wave

Airport Offers Air Conditioning and Rest Areas:
Elderly Seek Refuge from the Heat

Record-Breaking Heat Wave...Heat Shelter Operating Hours Remain Limited

As the heat wave continues, with perceived temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius, Incheon International Airport has unexpectedly emerged as a popular destination to escape the heat. Since air conditioning runs all day and there are plenty of seats and rest areas, anyone can cool off for free. In particular, more and more elderly people, who are especially vulnerable to intense heat, are visiting the airport.

Incheon International Airport. Photo courtesy of Channel A News footage

"Spacious and cool, and it doesn't cost anything"...Crowds flock to the airport

In fact, it is easy to spot visitors in Terminal 2 sitting together around a chessboard on a bench or lying down with mats on the wooden floor. Some take off their shoes, stretch out their legs, chat, or share fruit. Many people sit in front of the glass wall at the PR center, watching planes take off and land to pass the time. Quite a few visitors arrive in the morning and stay until evening.

There are several reasons why elderly people choose the airport. The high ceilings prevent it from feeling stuffy, and round-the-clock air conditioning keeps the place cool. There are chairs and rest areas throughout, making it a comfortable place to spend time.

Another key factor is the minimal financial burden. People aged 65 or older do not pay subway fares. Even with three transfers from the southwestern part of Seoul, there is no travel cost, and the subway is air-conditioned on both directions. By not using an air conditioner at home, they can also save on electricity bills.

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Number of cooling centers grows...but operating hours remain limited

There are additional reasons for the steady stream of seniors to the airport. According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, about 93,000 cooling centers are currently operating nationwide. However, a preliminary inspection conducted ahead of the heat wave response period identified approximately 1,700 shortcomings, such as missing signs, incorrect location information, and inconvenient usage experiences.

Operating hours are also an obstacle. In Seoul, most centers only extend their hours from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays, and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends and holidays, but only when a heat warning is in effect. Although local governments are expanding nighttime operations, it is still not enough. In addition, with senior centers closed in the afternoons and on weekends, many elderly people choose to spend several hours traveling to the airport, as there are few other options available.

Meanwhile, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration on August 4, a heat advisory has been issued for most regions across the country, with the highest perceived temperature expected to reach around 35 degrees Celsius. The record-breaking heat wave continues, including tropical nights when temperatures remain above 25 degrees Celsius even at night. The risk of heat-related illnesses is increasing, and the elderly are known to be especially vulnerable due to dehydration and impaired body temperature regulation.

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