[Report] Transformation of the 110-Year-Old Schiphol Airport... Incheon Airport Terminal 1 Undergoes 1.8 Trillion Won Overhaul

Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Over 110 Years Old but Now Modernized
Incheon Airport Embarks on Comprehensive Renovation of Terminal 1
Need for Swift Construction Using an Alternative Terminal

On September 1 (local time), Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, Netherlands, which was visited on that day, showcased its transformation into a modern airport, despite being in operation for over 110 years. This was achieved through a large-scale facility improvement project costing approximately 10 billion euros (about 16 trillion won). Numerous commercial and food and beverage facilities reflecting the unique character of the Netherlands have been introduced to enhance passenger satisfaction, and rest areas for travelers waiting for their flights have been greatly expanded. Although Schiphol Airport has only one terminal and faces several limitations such as a limited land area, it managed to accommodate up to 70 million passengers last year through the efficient arrangement of passenger routes and runways.

On the 1st (local time), facility improvement construction is underway at Pier A area of Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands. Amsterdam=Photo by Airport Photojournalists Group

Not only Schiphol Airport, but also major airports in Northeast Asia—including Narita Airport in Japan, Pudong Airport in China, and Chek Lap Kok Airport in Hong Kong—are currently undergoing active infrastructure expansions, such as construction of new passenger terminals and runways. The reason these airports are focusing on facility improvements is to get ahead of the expected future increase in air travel demand. According to the Airports Council International (ACI), global air travel demand is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 3.4% between 2025 and 2044.

Schiphol Airport is pursuing several projects with the aim of completion by 2035, including improvement work on Departure Hall 1, expanding space by an additional 5,000 square meters, and renovating Lounge 1 and aircraft boarding areas (piers). However, carrying out such large-scale upgrades involves significant costs and can increase airport congestion and passenger inconvenience during construction. At Schiphol, the limited land area meant it was impossible to build an alternative terminal to use during the renovation of Terminal 1. As a result, the airport opted to operate the existing terminal while carrying out the renovation work. Construction is conducted as much as possible at night, and by sections and facilities. While the improvement of Departure Hall 1 and Lounge 1 has been successfully completed, it is also true that passengers experienced considerable inconvenience during the process.

Passengers are moving at Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands on the 1st (local time). Amsterdam – Photo by Airport Photojournalists Group

Team Roas, Head of International Cooperation at Schiphol Airport, explained to the press on this day, "During the construction, temporary walls had to be installed in congested areas, which inevitably caused inconvenience for passengers. In the future, once the construction of Pier A (boarding area) is completed, Pier C and D improvements will also have to be carried out sequentially next year. We see the potential loss of passenger capacity and the resulting inconvenience as the most significant risk factors."

In South Korea, Incheon International Airport is also promoting a comprehensive improvement project for its aging Terminal 1 since its opening in 2001, at a budget of 1.8 trillion won. This project has been incorporated into the 6th Airport Development Master Plan and selected as a project conditionally exempted from the preliminary feasibility study. Currently, 60% of the detailed design has been completed, and construction is planned to commence in 2028 with completion scheduled for 2035.

Incheon Airport also plans to maintain continuous operation of Terminal 1 while carrying out improvement works, similar to Schiphol Airport, but is discussing the possibility of constructing an alternative terminal with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Using an alternative terminal could shorten the construction period, reduce costs, and minimize inconvenience for passengers. The area of Schiphol Airport is about 27.87 million square meters, which is about half the size of Incheon Airport. In contrast, Incheon Airport covers about 56 million square meters and, even after completing four expansion phases, still retains spare land for future expansion.

Tim Loas, Head of International Cooperation at Schiphol Airport, is explaining the results of the facility improvement project to the airport press. Amsterdam=Photo by Airport Press Photographers

Facility upgrades at Incheon Airport are expected to focus on three main directions. First, outdated equipment such as mechanical, electrical, communications, and fire safety facilities will be replaced to meet strengthened legal standards and improve safety. The baggage handling system (BHS) will also be upgraded to boost aviation security, and the creation of a unified immigration control area will simplify immigration procedures.

Ultimately, the key issue is how successfully the airport will manage congestion and minimize passenger inconvenience during construction. With the intensifying competition among neighboring airports like Narita and Pudong to expand their infrastructure in response to surging air travel demand, attention is focused on whether Incheon Airport can complete its modernization on time while minimizing operational disruption.

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