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

Incheon International Airport

Compiled by Bill Gao

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

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Multi-Universe Rankings & Statistical Standing

How ranks work →

RunwayFacts Published Dataset

tied #56 of 650

In curated primary commercial index

Global Commercial Universe

#132 of 7558

Top 1.8% percentile worldwide

For airports with equal runway length, the worldwide order does not indicate a length difference.

National Standing (South Korea)

#1 of 4 in KR

#1 of 26 in full national registry

vs Large Airport Median

+31.2%

Compared to 10,000 ft baseline

💡 ICN in numbers: 13,123 ft longest runway · tied #56 of 650 published · #132 of 7,558 worldwide (top 1.8%) · #1 in South Korea.

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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

Longest runway ≥10,500 ft

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Elevation & National Context

Lowland Aerodrome (<2,000 ft)

ICN lies at 7 m (23 ft), #574 of 650 published airports by elevation and 11 percentile among 7,558 worldwide. It is 18 ft below the South Korea median (41 ft, 4 airports); CJU is highest at 118 ft, 95 ft higher than ICN.

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Regional Density & Alternates (100 NM)

1 Qualifying Aerodrome in Vicinity

Closest of 1 paved-runway (≥5,000 ft) neighbour within 100 NM: Seoul Gimpo International Airport (GMP), 17.1 NM, 11,811 ft. ICN has the longest runway in this radius, 1,312 ft over GMP.

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Runway Inventory & National Standing

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

ICN runways: 16L/34R 13,123 × 197 ft asphalt (asph); 15R/33L 12,303 × 197 ft asphalt (asph); 15L/33R 12,303 × 197 ft asphalt (asph); 16R/34L 12,303 × 197 ft asphalt (asph). National standing: #1 of 4 in South Korea; 1,312 ft ahead of GMP (11,811 ft). +31.2% vs the 10,000 ft baseline.

🛫 Physical Runway Inventory & Surface Engineering

Runway Designator	Length (ft / m)	Width (ft / m)	Surface Material	Lighting	Status
16L/34R	13,123 ft (4000 m / 4.000 km)	197 ft (60m)	`Asphalt (ASPH)`	✅ Lighted	✅ Active
15R/33L	12,303 ft (3750 m / 3.750 km)	197 ft (60m)	`Asphalt (ASPH)`	✅ Lighted	✅ Active
15L/33R	12,303 ft (3750 m / 3.750 km)	197 ft (60m)	`Asphalt (ASPH)`	✅ Lighted	✅ Active
16R/34L	12,303 ft (3750 m / 3.750 km)	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

🛡️ Source: OurAirports Open Aviation Database, snapshot 2026-09-01 · Provenance →