Quick answer: Incheon International Airport Corporation has proposed raising the passenger service charge on international departures from KRW 17,000 to KRW 22,000, and from KRW 10,000 to KRW 15,000 for transfer passengers. The rise is not approved. Explera DMC Korea quotes the ground programme separately from air, so a change would not touch the land package.
What has Incheon Airport proposed?
According to data the airport operator submitted to Rep. Yoon Jong-kun of the National Assembly committee on land, infrastructure and transport, reported in October 2026, the passenger service charge on international departures would rise from KRW 17,000 to KRW 22,000, about 30 percent. For transfer passengers it would rise from KRW 10,000 to KRW 15,000.
Reports say the charge has not changed since 2002. The operator argues that frozen charges no longer cover the cost of running the airport, and it also wants airlines to pay more in landing and other charges.
Why does it matter for group quotes?
- It sits in the air ticket. Departing passengers pay the charge through their ticket, not through the land package.
- Not approved yet. No new level and no start date have been confirmed, so a quote issued now should not assume either figure will apply on the travel date.
- Airline charges too. Higher landing and other airline charges could feed into fares over time.
How we handle it
- Air and land apart. Our quotes cover the ground programme in Korea; fares, taxes and airport charges stay with the agency or its consolidator.
- Clear validity. Every quote states what is included and how long it is valid.
- We watch the decision. We tell partners once a new charge and its start date are confirmed.
Planned with the agent
Explera DMC Korea plans airport transfers, hotels, guides and touring for groups arriving at and leaving from Incheon, Gimpo and Gimhae.
Send your dates, pax and requirements to b2b@explera.kr or WhatsApp +66 93 656 8090. Explera DMC Korea is IATA TIDS-registered (96215733) and an ASTA member (#900408341); our KTO and KATA registrations are in application.
Where this fits in our Korea programmes
The pages below carry the operational detail behind this briefing.
- Services: Group travel & GIT in Korea · Transportation & coaches in Korea · Rail & transfers in Korea
- Destinations: Incheon · Seoul · Busan
Frequently asked questions
Has the Incheon Airport departure charge gone up?
Not yet. The operator has proposed raising it from KRW 17,000 to KRW 22,000 for international departures, but no increase has been approved.
What would change for transfer passengers?
The proposal would raise their charge from KRW 10,000 to KRW 15,000.
Who pays the charge?
Departing passengers pay it through their air ticket, so it appears in the fare and taxes rather than in the ground package.
Does this change an Explera DMC Korea ground quote?
No. Our quotes cover hotels, transport, guides and touring in Korea; air fares, taxes and airport charges are handled by the agency or its consolidator.
