Incheon Airport Installs Fences to Prevent "Group Cutting in Line" by Chinese Peddlers

Increased Competition on China Routes as Passenger Numbers Surge
Safety Fences and Security Staff Deployed

After a series of incidents of group line-cutting at the departure hall of Incheon International Airport, believed to involve Chinese peddlers, airport authorities have installed “safety fences” to maintain order.

Cutting in line by Chinese peddlers and others at the check-in counters in the departure hall of Incheon Airport. Social networking service (SNS)

According to Incheon International Airport Corporation on August 18, there were five separate incidents between July 2 and July 10 where dozens of passengers, including Chinese peddlers, disregarded the control lines as soon as check-in counters opened. They reportedly pushed their luggage under the barricades or rushed ahead into restricted areas, creating commotions.

During these incidents, other passengers in line were caught up in the chaos, causing significant congestion, and guidance staff attempting to maintain order were reportedly pushed by the crowd and sustained bruises or scratches.

The majority of those involved were said to be Chinese peddlers. Such peddlers are private merchants who buy goods in bulk in Korea and resell them in China. The reason they cut in line is that it takes a considerable amount of time to collect and organize the items purchased at the duty-free pickup counters in the restricted area. Arriving late at the pickup point can risk missing their flight.

The main factor behind the emergence of this so-called “group line-cutting” issue was identified as a surge in passenger numbers during the same time slots. Recently, the change in aircraft types for major Incheon–China routes, from the Airbus A320 to the A350, increased available seats by about 100 per flight, which led to more intense competition among passengers waiting in line.

On the morning of July 8, a video capturing such group line-cutting was shared on social networking services (SNS), sparking online debates questioning the authenticity of the footage.

In response, the corporation recently installed safety fences at the entrance to the E counter in the departure hall on the third floor of Terminal 1 at Incheon Airport to prevent group line-cutting, and added high-visibility coverings. Furthermore, digital warnings are being displayed stating, “Check-in cannot proceed if passenger safety is at risk,” and safety personnel have been deployed to monitor the site at all times.

An official from the corporation stated, “No further incidents of line-cutting have occurred,” and added, “We will make every effort to ensure passenger safety and maintain order.”

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