Korean arrivals debate due; airport plans big retail expansion

Dermot Davitt

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Arrivals firmly on the agenda as Seoul Incheon airport plans to almost double departures duty-free space

In September, South Korean lawmakers will debate proposals to introduce arrivals duty-free legislation in the country. A new bill containing the proposals was put forward by 44 members of parliament in June. But there are no guarantees the bill will succeed. It is supported by airport authority Incheon International Airport Corp (IIAC) and has widespread public support. But Korean Customs and the country's leading airlines are opposed. IIAC estimates arrivals would generate $40m in sales in its first year.

"Some lawmakers are positive about it but others are negative," IIAC general manager Bum Ho Kim told RavenFox.com. "It's difficult to say whether it will be passed or not."

Meanwhile, work on a new 32-gate concourse begins in 2006 and is scheduled for completion in 2008. This will add 6,500sq m (70,000sq ft) of duty-free space, added Kim. Today, four duty-free operators share 44 shops in 8,500sq m (91,500sq ft) of retail space.