Incheon shares know-how with European airports

Top officials from Europe’s two leading airport operators ― Schiphol Group of the Netherlands and Aeroports de Paris of France ― visited Korea on Wednesday to share business expertise and further strengthen their partnership with Incheon International Airport.

A two-day CEO-level meeting started on Wednesday at a Seoul hotel, with Incheon Airport CEO Lee Chae-wook, Jos Nijhuis, president of Schiphol Group, and Laurent Galzy, chief financial officer of Aeroports de Paris, in attendance.

The so-called “Leading Airport Project” came in July last year when the three airport operators signed a memorandum of understanding to set specific goals for their partnership. 

Thus far, two CEO meetings and four working-level meetings have been held to decide which 12 service areas ― such as personnel training, logistics, passenger satisfaction and luggage systems ― they would work on.

During the third CEO meeting, which will take place at Incheon Airport on Thursday, they will discuss their future projects regarding the second terminal of Incheon Airport, which is scheduled to be completed by 2017.

An Incheon Airport spokesperson added that they could strengthen their bargaining power in purchasing facility equipment as they participate in bids together, which would set product standards for certain items.

“Over the past year and a half, we have completed an analysis on each other’s airport operation expertise and business environment,” said Lee, the Incheon CEO.

“Through the Seoul meeting, we will set new standards for the whole operation process, paving the way for us to lead the global airport industry.”

In May, Incheon Airport won the World’s Best Airport title, given by Airports Council International, for the seventh year running, followed by Singapore and Beijing.

By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)