The ultimate gateway to Korea, Incheon International Airport, is being recognized again for its commitment to performance excellence and quality services. From traditional ceremonies to an indoor skating rink, Incheon International Airport has it all.

In March this year, Incheon International Airport was selected as the Best Airport Worldwide in the annual Airport Service Quality Awards for the year 2010. The airport has been crowned the world’s best among some 1,700 airports, in the award program conducted by the Airport Council International (ACI), for six years in a row, setting a new record in the award's history. The airport was first crowned in 2005, only just a few years after its March 2001 opening.

Incheon International Airport is reputed for its prompt immigration processes backed by its IT-based passenger advance notice system, as well as its cleanliness and ease of transfer. Not only does it serve as one of the leading logistics and transportation hubs in Asia, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, but it also offers diverse programs tailored to the needs of foreign visitors interested in knowing more about the country’s traditional culture.

Moreover, the airport provides a wide array of leisure activities, including a 24-hour sauna and an observatory, as well as an ice-skating rink and an indoor garden. Some of the facilities are accessible to non-ticket holders, making the airport an attractive half-day destination even to residents in the vicinity, such as citizens of Seoul or Incheon.

Experiencing traditional Korean culture at the last minute before leaving Korea

On the third floor of the passenger terminal, alongside a plethora of high-end brand shops, two Traditional Korean Cultural Experience Zones and two Korea Traditional Cultural Experience Centers are located in each wing. The spaces, run by the Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation, aim at promoting Korea’s traditional culture to a global audience of world travelers.

Each year, approximately 60,000 visitors experience an authentic Korean heritage through a variety of activities, from trying on traditional garments to learning how to play traditional instruments and making one’s own traditional crafts, such as traditional fans or kites. All foreign passengers are invited to participate free of charge from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. throughout the year.

Another popular event that one should not miss is a reenactment of the royal march of the king and queen consort of the Joseon Dynasty accompanied by several dozen gentlemen in traditional outfits. The promenade of the royal family takes place twice a day at 11 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Situated on the fourth floor of the passenger terminal in the transfer lounge, the Traditional Craft Gallery, also known as Korea House, displays traditional Korean crafts and ornaments 24 hours a day. In the exhibition hall, even transferring passengers can get a brief overview of Korean crafts and clothing.

Built inside the new concourse in the transfer lounge (4F) is the Korean Culture Museum. The museum showcases some of Korea’s national treasures and traditional art pieces in close collaboration with the National Museum of Korea. If you missed a visit to the National Museum of Korea during your stay in Seoul, be sure to swing by. The museum is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

A variety of leisure facilities

Haven’t checked your email? Go to the Internet Lounge available at a number of spots around the passenger terminal and concourse. Access to the Internet is complimentary. Wireless internet is also available for laptop holders.

Spa on Air, selected as one of the nine hidden venues at Incheon airport by CNN (click here to read the full article) offers body massages and a 24-hour sauna. A perfect location to rest and freshen up in between connecting flights, Spa on Air can be found on the basement floor of the passenger terminal.

If you have more free time left over even after a relaxing sauna, a visit to Airstar Terrace on the fourth floor of the passenger terminal can be nice. The airport observatory deck, which opens from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., offers a panoramic view towards the airstrip outside and dazzling vistas of the endless take-offs and landings, especially at night time.

Ice Forest, which opened to the public on August 20, brings multiple choices for active travelers who seek more than just relaxation on comfy cushions. This first indoor ice-skating rink to ever open inside an airport, it is a great fun stop. The synthetic ice that covers the surface of the rink allows skating in all four seasons and allegedly reduces the risk of injuries compared to natural ice. At the stage nearby, visitors can enjoy a wide range of performances, from jazz to b-boy, while skating. For 4,000 won (adults), anyone can rent a pair of skates, safety equipment, and time on the rink. Operating hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Incheon International Airport keeps pushing its boundaries, creating new paradigms on what an airport should be. A multiplex movie theater is set to open by the end of this year, providing a more varied choice for passengers. For more information, please visit the official website at: www.airport.kr/eng (Korean, English, Chinese and Japanese).

By Hwang Dana
Korea.net Staff Writer