Core Viewpoint - The financial situation of Incheon International Airport is becoming increasingly strained, leading to plans for raising airport facility usage fees that have remained unchanged for over 20 years, which will likely increase costs for both airlines and travelers [2][4]. Group 1: Airport Financial Situation - Incheon International Airport is projected to handle 71.213 million passengers in 2024, ranking 13th globally [2]. - Despite a significant increase in passenger traffic, the airport's fee structure has not been adjusted since 2002, resulting in much lower fees compared to other major international airports [4]. - Approximately 60% of Incheon Airport's revenue comes from non-aeronautical sources, which are now declining due to weak consumer spending [4]. Group 2: Fee Comparison - As of July 2025, the passenger usage fee at Incheon Airport is only 17,000 KRW (approximately 88 RMB), significantly lower than Heathrow's 93,000 KRW and Changi Airport's 60,000 KRW [4]. - Landing fees at Incheon for a Boeing 777-300ER are about 3.95 million KRW (approximately 20,000 RMB), while Heathrow charges around 16.73 million KRW, nearly four times higher [4]. Group 3: Future Projections - Financial forecasts for 2025 indicate that operational costs will rise by nearly 40% due to the expansion of Terminal 2, leading to a potential halving of profits and a debt ratio approaching 100% [5]. - Plans are in place to gradually increase fees, starting with transit airport usage fees for foreign travelers [5]. Group 4: Impact on Airlines - The increase in fees at Incheon could lead to a significant rise in overall costs for airlines, especially if other major Asian hubs follow suit [5]. - Airlines are facing pressure to cut unprofitable routes and reduce service quality to manage rising costs, which could negatively impact brand competitiveness [6]. Group 5: Industry Dynamics - The interplay between rising airport fees, airline cost pressures, and traveler price sensitivity is creating an imbalance in the aviation ecosystem [6]. - The industry must find a new balance between cost pressures and market demand in the coming years [7].
机场“涨价潮”,压垮航司的最后稻草
3 6 Ke·2025-08-13 11:19