Travel disruption looms as airport staff walk out
Airports across South Korea — including the busy hubs of Incheon and Gimpo — are bracing for possible disruptions starting September 19 as over 1,700 workers go on strike. The labor action is set to extend through early October, overlapping with Chuseok, Korea’s major harvest holiday often likened to Thanksgiving.
Who’s striking and why now?
According to Korean media, the strike includes about 700 employees at Incheon International Airport — spanning sanitation, traffic control, and terminal operations — and nearly 1,000 unionized employees at 14 other airports nationwide. While the exact demands haven’t been publicly detailed, tensions with airport management have been escalating.
In response, the Incheon Airport Authority has mobilized 166 temporary replacements to keep functions running. So far, check-ins and immigration services remain largely unaffected, but authorities warn of potential service delays, especially during peak hours.
Incheon and Gimpo: Still flying (for now)
For now, travelers using Incheon and Gimpo airports — both popular with international visitors — can breathe a bit easier. Japan’s embassy in South Korea has issued a notice advising travelers to “check the latest information” but stated that there were no significant problems with departures or arrivals as of the morning of September 19.
Could the strike end early?
There’s still hope this labor standoff could be short-lived. If airport operators and union reps reach a deal, the strike might be called off altogether. Until then, expect signs, chants, and possibly longer waits at baggage drop.
Planning a trip to Korea soon?
If you’ve got a flight coming up, keep tabs on both local news and your airline’s updates. And remember — Chuseok isn’t just a holiday; it’s one of South Korea’s busiest travel periods. With or without a strike, airports are usually packed. Double-check ahead and pack some patience.
