Why this is important to Wisconsin businesses: Wisconsin companies can take part in the plan to expand the airport into a second international hub.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) of South Korea recently announced a plan to expand the Gimhae airport, located in the southern part of the country, to be more competitive as an international airport.
According to the government, the first major task is establishing a new airstrip. Gimhae airport had considered building the landing strip several times to meet increasing demand, but it was not carried out in the past due to wind problems. The new 3,200-meter runway has been rotated 40 degrees compared to the existing airstrips. International airport terminals will be constructed next to existing terminals. Upon the completion of construction, only domestic flights will use the older terminals. According to the MOLIT, establishing the additional landing strip and terminals can resolve problems related to excessive demand at Gimhae airport.
Plans to make the new airport into a transportation hub include a high-speed railway connection to Daegu, the third largest city in South Korea. The Gyeongjeon Line across the southern part of the country will be completed in 2020, and according to MOLIT, an additional highway linking the international airport and Gyeongjeon Line is planned.
In addition, the government is planning to create a 69,000 km2 “Airport City” by establishing parking lots, shopping areas and convenience facilities.
MOLIT has estimated that establishing the new airstrip, control tower and additional passenger terminals will require just 2.7 km2.