← Home / Airports / South Korea

Data source: OurAirports (2026-09-01 Snapshot) · Methodology & Verification →

Incheon International Airport

Seoul, Incheon-Gwangyeoksi (Incheon Metropolitan City) (South Korea)

IATA: ICN ICAO: RKSI

Longest Active Runway

13,123 ft

4,000 meters

Field Elevation

23 ft

7 m MSL

Runway Inventory

4 active

Lighted / Paved

Coordinates & Class

37.4691°, 126.4510°

LARGE AIRPORT

🏆

Multi-Universe Rankings & Statistical Standing

Ranking Universes Guide →

RunwayFacts Published Dataset

#83 of 650

In curated primary commercial index

Global Commercial Universe

#132 of 7558

Top 1.8% percentile worldwide

National Standing (South Korea)

#1 in KR

#1 of 26 in full national registry

vs Large Airport Median

+31.2%

Compared to 10,000 ft baseline

💡 Statistical Statement: Incheon International Airport's longest active runway measures 13,123 ft (4,000 m). Within RunwayFacts' published index of 650 aerodromes, it ranks #83. Across the broader global dataset of 7558 commercial facilities, it ranks #132 worldwide (Top 1.8%) and #1 nationally in South Korea.

🛫

Editorial Aerodrome Deep Dive: Incheon International Airport (ICN)

Curated Aerodrome Profile

Seoul Incheon International Airport is a masterclass in global hub design and passenger satisfaction. Its four parallel runways permit simultaneous independent operations across two separated airfield complexes. Runway 16L/34R extends to 13,123 ft, accommodating maximum-weight transpacific departures for Korean Air and Asiana. Positioned on Yellow Sea coastal land at 23 ft MSL, ICN provides outstanding sea-level aerodynamic performance.

Runway Layout & Magnetic Alignments

Four active parallel runways: 15L/33R (12,303 ft), 15R/33L (12,303 ft), 16L/34R (13,123 ft / 4,000 m), and 16R/34L (12,303 ft).

Expansion Milestones & Predecessor Facilities

Opened in March 2001 on reclaimed land between Yeongjong and Yongyu islands, replacing Gimpo (GMP) as Seoul's primary international hub. Commissioned the fourth runway in 2021 and Terminal 2 expansion in 2024.

Regional Differentiation & Cluster Role

Premier East Asian mega-hub, while historic Gimpo Airport (GMP, 18 NM east) focuses on domestic trunk routes and short-range Asian business capitals.

Data Nuances & Operational Quirks

Equipped for full Category IIIb zero-visibility operations, utilizing high-capacity rapid-exit taxiways and automated underground inter-terminal baggage transit.

📚 Official Aerodrome Sourcing: South Korea National Civil Aviation Authority · State Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) & ICAO Annex 14 Standards

Verification Methodology →

🔬 Operational & Aerodrome Engineering Comparative Analysis

Comparative aviation metrics evaluated against regional and global physical operational criteria.

ICAO Code 4E / 4F Super-Heavy

⛰️

Elevation & Atmospheric Density

Lowland / Coastal Basin Aerodrome

Incheon International Airport operates at a surveyed field elevation of 23 ft (7 m MSL) in Seoul. Situated in low-lying coastal terrain, the aerodrome benefits from dense ambient atmospheric pressure, maximizing turbine engine thrust and wing lift efficiency across all departure vectors.

🧭

Regional Density & Alternates (100 NM)

1 Qualifying Aerodrome in Vicinity

Premier East Asian mega-hub, while historic Gimpo Airport (GMP, 18 NM east) focuses on domestic trunk routes and short-range Asian business capitals. Within a 100 NM radius, the facility coordinates airspace flows with 1 qualifying commercial aerodromes, with Seoul Gimpo International Airport (GMP) located 17.1 NM away.

✈️

Fleet Compatibility & Ground Roll

Primary Runway: 13,123 ft (4,000 m)

Incheon International Airport's active flight strips comprise 16L/34R (13,123 ft), 15R/33L (12,303 ft), 15L/33R (12,303 ft), 16R/34L (12,303 ft). With a longest active threshold of 13,123 ft (4,000 m), the aerodrome satisfies unrestricted long-haul takeoff and landing distance requirements for heavy twin-aisle and four-engine widebodies (ICAO Code 4E/4F).

🛫 Physical Runway Inventory & Surface Engineering

Runway Designator	Length (ft / m)	Width (ft / m)	Surface Material	Lighting	Status
16L/34R	13,123 ft (4000m)	197 ft (60m)	`Asphalt (ASPH)`	✅ Lighted	✅ Active
15R/33L	12,303 ft (3750m)	197 ft (60m)	`Asphalt (ASPH)`	✅ Lighted	✅ Active
15L/33R	12,303 ft (3750m)	197 ft (60m)	`Asphalt (ASPH)`	✅ Lighted	✅ Active
16R/34L	12,303 ft (3750m)	197 ft (60m)	`Asphalt (ASPH)`	✅ Lighted	✅ Active

🧭 Comparative Aerodromes (100 NM Radius, ≥5,000 ft Paved)

Great-circle Haversine spatial proximity matching for commercial facilities with paved runway capacity within 100 NM.

Aerodrome Name	IATA	Distance	Longest Runway	Lighting
Seoul Gimpo International Airport (Seoul)	`GMP`	17.1 NM (31.7 km)	11,811 ft	✅ Lighted

🛡️ Data Provenance & Verification Metadata

Source Dataset: OurAirports Open Aviation Database

Snapshot Version: 2026-09-01

Dataset Integrity: Cryptographic SHA-256 Checksum Verified & Fail-Closed Schema Inspected

Source Verification: Source-reported registry data

Read Complete Methodology & Verification Protocol → GET /api/airport/icn.json ↗