Gimpo International Airport

{{Short description|Secondary airport serving Seoul, South Korea}} {{Use Oxford spelling |date=October 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}} {{More citations needed|date=July 2009}} {{Infobox airport | name = Gimpo International Airport | nativename = {{nobold|{{lang|ko|김포국제공항}}}} | image = Gimpo International Airport (1).jpg | image-width = 250 | caption = Terminal interior in 2019 | IATA = GMP | ICAO = RKSS | WMO = 47110 | type = Public | owner = Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport | operator = Korea Airports Corporation | owner-oper = | city-served = Seoul metropolitan area | location = Gonghang-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, South Korea | built = {{start date and age|1939|||df=yes}} | opened = {{start date and age|1958|01|30|df=yes}} | hub = {{ubl|class=nowrap | Asiana Airlines | Korean Air}} | focus_city = {{nowrap|T'way Air}} | operating_base = {{ubl|class=nowrap | Eastar Jet | Jeju Air | Jin Air}} | elevation-f = 58 | elevation-m = 18 | coordinates = {{coord|37|33|29|N|126|47|26|E|region:KR-11|display=inline,title}} | website = {{URL|https://www.airport.co.kr/gimpoeng/index.do}} | pushpin_map = South Korea Seoul#South Korea | pushpin_map_caption = Location of airport in Seoul##Location of airport in South Korea | pushpin_label = '''GMP'''/RKSS | metric-elev = yes | metric-rwy = yes | r1-number = 14R/32L | r1-length-f = 10,499 | r1-length-m = 3,200 | r1-surface = Asphalt | r2-number = 14L/32R | r2-length-f = 11,811 | r2-length-m = 3,600 | r2-surface = Asphalt | stat-year = 2019 | stat1-header = Total passengers | stat1-data = 25,448,416 | stat2-header = Aircraft movements | stat2-data = 140,422 | stat3-header = Tonnes of cargo | stat3-data = 253,395 | stat4-header = | stat4-data = | footnotes = Statistics from KAC<ref name="stats">{{cite web |url=https://www.airport.co.kr/www/extra/stats/airportStats/layOut.do?menuId=397 |script-title=ko:공항별 통계 : 항공통계 : 알림·홍보 : Kac 한국공항공사 |access-date=2019-01-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120093752/https://www.airport.co.kr/www/extra/stats/airportStats/layOut.do?menuId=397 |archive-date=20 January 2019 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> | module = {{Infobox Korean name/auto | child = yes | hangul = ^김포_국제공항 | hanja = 金浦國際空港 }} }}

'''Gimpo International Airport''' {{airport codes|GMP|RKSS}}, formerly rendered in English as '''Kimpo International Airport''', is located in the far western end of Seoul, the capital of South Korea, some {{convert|15|km|mi|0}} west of the central district of Seoul.

Gimpo previously carried the IATA airport code '''SEL''', which is now used by airline reservation systems and travel agencies within the Seoul metropolitan area, and was the main international airport for Seoul and South Korea before being replaced by Incheon International Airport in 2001. It now functions as Seoul's secondary airport. In 2015, over 23 million passengers used the airport, making it the third-busiest airport in Korea since being surpassed by Jeju International Airport.

The airport is located south of the Han River in western Seoul. The name ''Gimpo'' comes from the nearby city of Gimpo, of which the airport used to be a part.

On 29 November 2003, scheduled services between Gimpo and Haneda Airport in Tokyo resumed with services also operating at Incheon Airport. Services to Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport resumed on 28 October 2007. Services to Kansai International Airport in Osaka, Japan, started on 26 October 2008 with services also operating at Incheon Airport. Services to Beijing Capital International Airport started on 1 July 2011 with services also operating at Incheon Airport.<ref>[http://www.southkoreanews.net/story.php?rid=44900831 Gimpo–Beijing air route to open in July] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323083959/http://www.southkoreanews.net/story.php?rid=44900831 |date=23 March 2012 }}. South Korea News (26 April 2011). Retrieved on 12 July 2013.</ref> Services to Taipei Songshan Airport started on 30 April 2012.<ref>[http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2012/04/30/2003531629 Songshan to begin direct flights to Gimpo in Seoul]. Taipei Times (30 April 2012). Retrieved on 6 March 2015.</ref>

== History == The airfield was built in 1939 during the Japanese Imperial period as an Imperial Army base. The runways were built on a bed of rocks manually hauled by Korean labourers from Kaihwasan and Yangchan, several miles from the base.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fabulousrocketeers.com/FR_K14_History.htm|title=History of K-14, Gimpo air base, South Korea|website=www.fabulousrocketeers.com|access-date=2018-09-20|archive-date=28 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928144001/http://www.fabulousrocketeers.com/FR_K14_History.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> Then known as '''Keijo New Airfield''' (京城新飛行場), Gimpo was constructed with four runways to supplement the much smaller Keijo Airfield (京城飛行場), which was later known as Yeouido Airport.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://navgunschl2.sakura.ne.jp/bangai/IJN_Nav_Base/000A_06_Korea_AB.html|title=朝鮮半島の旧陸海軍航空基地|website=navgunschl2.sakura.ne.jp|language=ja|access-date=2018-09-20|quote=京城飛行場の西北西約11kmの京畿道金浦郡陽西面に置かれ通称金浦飛行場と呼ばれた航空基地で、京城飛行場が手狭のため昭和14年に旧陸軍が滑走路4本を有する本格的な航空基地として建設が始まって18年には概成したとされていますが、終戦時にはNW/SEの滑走路は拡張途中であったと考えられます。}}</ref>

===Korean War=== Gimpo played a major role during the Korean War, and the USAF designated the airfield as '''Kimpo Air Base''' or '''K-14'''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/196394/k-bases-in-korea/|title=K-Bases in Korea|work=National Museum of the US Air Force|access-date=2018-09-20|language=en-US}}</ref>

North Korean forces attacked South Korea on 25 June 1950 starting the Korean War. During one of the first Korean People's Air Force (KPAF) attacks on 25 June, a Military Air Transport Service C-54 Skymaster was destroyed on the ground at Gimpo. On 27 June, US naval and air forces began evacuating 748 US diplomats, military dependents, and civilians by air transport from Kimpo and Suwon Airfield.<ref name="USAF">{{cite web|url=http://www.af.mil/information/heritage/milestones.asp?dec=1950 |title=History Milestones Sunday, January 01, 1950 – Thursday, December 31, 1959 |publisher=U.S. Air Force |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130628031831/http://www.af.mil/information/heritage/milestones.asp?dec=1950 |archive-date=28 June 2013 |df=dmy }}</ref> On the afternoon of 27 June, five F-82 Twin Mustangs of the 68th Fighter Squadron and 339th Fighter Squadron were escorting four C-54 Skymaster aircraft out of Kimpo when the C-54s were attacked by five KPAF Lavochkin La-7 fighters. In the subsequent dogfights, three LA-7s were shot down for the loss of no US aircraft in the first air battle of the war.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=25221 |title=Valor Awards for James Walter Little |publisher=Gannett Company |year=2011 |access-date=25 June 2013}}(From the Lavochkin LA-71 page 'Despite reports to the contrary, no La-7s were ever sold or transferred to the People's Republic of China or North Korea. Such reports arose from misidentification by Western pilots of the La-9s or La-11s that were given to those countries.[15])</ref> Later that day, four F-80Cs of the 35th Fighter-Bomber Squadron shot down four Ilyushin Il-10s for no losses over Gimpo in the USAF's first jet-aircraft victory.<ref name="USAF"/>

Gimpo was captured by the KPA shortly after the capture of Seoul on 28 June 1950. On 29 June, eight B-29s of the 19th Bomb Group bombed Gimpo and the Seoul railyards.<ref name="USAF"/> By July, the KPAF were using the base for attacks on UN forces; on 10 July, seven Yak-7s were hidden at Gimpo and used in strikes against UN positions at Cheongju. The next day, they surprised and damaged several Lockheed F-80s in the area. On 15 July, the US launched an attack on Gimpo, destroying two or three of the seven Yak-7s there and damaging the runway.<ref name=Futrell>{{cite book|first=Robert F.|last=Futrell |title=The United States Air Force in Korea, 1950–1953|publisher=United States Government Printing Office|year=1997|url=https://media.defense.gov/2010/Dec/02/2001329903/-1/-1/0/AFD-101202-022.pdf|isbn=9780160488795|pages=99–101}}{{PD-notice}}</ref> On 5 August 5th Air Force fighters strafed and bombed Gimpo, destroying 9 aircraft and damaging 9 others.<ref name=Futrell/>{{rp|102}}

Following the Inchon landings on 15 September 1950, the 2nd Battalion 5th Marines was ordered to seize Gimpo on 17 September.<ref name=Hoyt>{{cite book|last=Hoyt|first=Edwin P.|title=On to the Yalu|publisher=Stein and Day|year=1984|isbn=0812829778|page=[https://archive.org/details/ontoyalu00hoyt/page/58 58]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/ontoyalu00hoyt/page/58}}</ref> Gimpo was defended by a conglomeration of half-trained fighting men and service forces, and by the morning of 18 September, the Marines had secured the airfield. The airfield was in excellent shape as the North Koreans had not had time to do any major demolition.<ref name=Hoyt/>{{rp|61}} On 19 September, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers repaired the local railroad up to {{convert|8|mi|order=flip}} inland and 32 C-54 transport planes began flying in gasoline and ordnance. VMF-212 was one of the first units to operate from Gimpo before moving forward to Yonpo Airfield. On 25 September, the 811th Engineer Aviation Battalion began repairing bomb damage on the {{convert|6000|ft|m|order=flip|adj=on}} asphalt runway at Gimpo and covering it with Marston matting.<ref name=Futrell/>{{rp|178–9}} On 6 October, the USAF took control of Gimpo from the USMC.<ref name="USAF"/>

Following the Chinese Third Phase Campaign and the defeat of UN Forces at the 38th parallel, on 5 January 1951, General Ridgway ordered the evacuation of Seoul and the withdrawal of UN forces to a new defensive line along the 37th parallel. Units based at Gimpo were withdrawn to the south and facilities were destroyed to prevent their use by Chinese and North Korean forces.

UN forces resumed the offensive again in late January 1951 and launched Operation Thunderbolt on 25 January, with the aim of pushing Chinese and North Korean forces back north of the Han River. By 10 February 1951, UN forces once again had control of Gimpo.<ref name=Futrell/>{{rp|293}}

USAF units based at Gimpo (Kimpo) included: *4th Fighter Wing operating F-86s from 23 August 1951 to 1 October 1954, subordinate units included: **334th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron **335th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron **336th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron *8th Fighter-Bomber Wing from 25 June to 23 August 1951 *51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing from 10 October 1950 to 10 December 1950, subordinate units included: **16th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron operating F-80s from 22 October 1950 to 3 January 1951 **25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron operating F-80s from October 1950 to November 1951 *67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group from 20 August 1951 to 6 December 1954, subordinate units included: **12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron operating RB-26Bs **15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron operating RF-80s and RF-86s **45th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron operating F-51s *68th Fighter Squadron operating F-82s from 30 November 1950 to March 1951 and from 27 June to 24 August 1951 *80th Fighter Squadron operating P-51s from 27 October to 20 December 1950

Other UN units based at Gimpo (Kimpo) included: *No. 77 Squadron RAAF operating Gloster Meteors from June 1951

On 21 September 1953, North Korean pilot No Kum-Sok defected in his MiG-15, landing at Gimpo.

<gallery mode="packed"> File:World War II Fighter Planes Kimpo, Korea 1945.jpg|Mitsubishi Ki-51s at Kimpo, October 1945 File:Wreckage of big transport which North Koreans hit while it was on Kimpo Airfield, is again in friendly hands, upon recapture of field HD-SN-99-03159.jpg|Wreckage of a C-54 destroyed on ground by KPAF fighters, June 1950 File:Il-10 damaged Kimpo Korea 1950.jpeg|Captured KPAF Ilyushin Il-10, September 1950 File:F51s K14 Kimpo Airfield Korea Oct 1950.jpg|F51s at Kimpo (K14) Airfield, October 1950 File:Meteor F8 77 Sqn RAAF at Kimpo c1952.jpg|No. 77 Squadron RAAF Gloster Meteor, 1952 File:J47 engine change on F-86E at Kimpo 1952.jpg|Engine change on an F-86E, 1952 File:MiG-15bis Kimpo Sep 1953.jpeg|MiG-15, 1953 </gallery>

=== International era === thumbnail|Map, c. 2014 thumb|International terminal thumb|Terminal interior [[File:Gimpo International Airport.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of Gimpo Airport in 2011, with the Han River visible near the top]] In 1958, the airport was redesignated as the Gimpo international airport of Seoul by a presidential decree, completely replacing the existing Yeouido Airport.<ref name=kac>{{cite web |url=https://www.airport.co.kr/gimpoeng/content/contents.do?cid=2016010811290380955&menuId=1843|title=Airport Introduction|date= 2016|website=www.airport.co.kr|publisher=Korea Airports Corporation|access-date=15 November 2017}}</ref>

Following the construction of Gimpo, Yeouido Airport was demolished. Gimpo soon became the main airport of Seoul, and of South Korea in general. In 1971, a new, combined domestic and international terminal was opened. However, following the opening of what was known as Terminal 1 in 1977, the original combined terminal was converted to domestic flights only. Later, Terminal 2 was opened due to the 1988 Summer Olympics.

Gradually, Gimpo began to have more flights than it was capable of handling. After about 1980, it experienced numerous problems due to its lack of space for expansion. An additional problem was South Korea's overnight curfew (midnight to 4 am), a security measure that was in effect for decades. The curfew, which severely limited the airport's night operations, was finally abolished in 1982.

Eventually, the South Korean government decided to build a new airport. The facility was initially planned to be in Cheongju, {{convert|124|km}} away from Seoul, but that idea was strongly opposed by the citizens of Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, due to the inconvenience it would pose to them. (It would have been farther from Seoul than the {{convert|80|km}} distance between Viracopos Airport in Campinas, Brazil, and the city of São Paulo.) Finally, Yeongjong Island, a part of the city of Incheon, slightly west of Seoul, was chosen for the new airport, which later came to be known as Incheon International Airport. All bigger scale international flights were moved to Incheon when it opened in 2001.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.anna.aero/2015/10/19/seoul-gimpo-airport-growing-by-7-in-2015-despite-mers/|title=Seoul Gimpo Airport growing by 7% in 2015 despite MERS|date=2015-10-19|work=anna.aero|access-date=2018-08-03|language=en-GB|archive-date=3 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703180139/http://www.anna.aero/2015/10/19/seoul-gimpo-airport-growing-by-7-in-2015-despite-mers/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Post-Incheon-activation era === "Shuttle" flights to Haneda Airport in Tokyo started in November 2003 on a charter basis, cutting 30 minutes or more of ground transportation at each end in an attempt to attract business travelers.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.moodiedavittreport.com/haneda-to-gimpo-route-to-give-duty-free-boost-in-japan-and-south-korea-and-drive-business-traffic/|title=Haneda to Gimpo route to give duty free boost in Japan and South Korea and drive business traffic - The Moodie Davitt Report|date=2003-11-07|work=The Moodie Davitt Report|access-date=2018-08-03|language=en-GB}}</ref> This "city to city" route was followed by new routes to Hongqiao Airport in Shanghai starting in October 2007,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/266125/shanghai-hongqiao-seoul-gimpo-takes-off-28oct07/|title=Shanghai Hongqiao – Seoul Gimpo takes off 28OCT07|work=Routesonline|access-date=2018-08-03|language=en-GB}}</ref> Kansai Airport in Osaka starting in 2008,<ref name=":0" /> Beijing starting in July 2011,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/04/27/2011042701050.html|title=Gimpo-Beijing Flights to Start in July|access-date=2018-08-03|language=en}}</ref> and Songshan Airport in Taipei starting in April 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2012/04/30/2003531629|title=Songshan to begin direct flights to Gimpo in Seoul - Taipei Times|website=www.taipeitimes.com|date=30 April 2012 |access-date=2018-08-03}}</ref> Total international passenger numbers at Gimpo rose from under one million in 2005 to over four million by 2012.<ref name=":0" /> Most services to Osaka and Beijing also operate from Incheon Airport.

The Haneda-Gimpo route was suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but resumed in June 2022 with eight weekly round trips, and recovered to 84 weekly round trips by the end of 2022 as entry restrictions were lifted.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dharma |first=RanjithKumar |date=2022-06-29 |title=South Korea and Japan restart flights between Gimpo and Haneda airports |url=https://www.airport-technology.com/news/south-korea-japan-gimpo-haneda/ |access-date=2023-01-04 |website=Airport Technology |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=최 |first=경애 |date=2022-12-07 |title=Seoul, Tokyo to increase flights on Gimpo-Haneda route to pre-pandemic level |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20221207008000320 |access-date=2023-01-04 |website=Yonhap News Agency |language=en}}</ref> On 26 March 2023, the Haneda-Incheon services resumed with two daily round trips a week with Korean Air and Peach with Asiana Airlines resuming the route on 1 May 2023 with seven daily round trips a week.<ref>{{cite web |title=Korean Air / Asiana Airlines Resumes Seoul Incheon – Tokyo Haneda Route in NS23 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230228-ozke |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=28 February 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=2022-08-26|url=https://japantoday.com/category/features/travel/peach-to-resume-service-between-haneda-and-seoul?comment-order=latest|title=Peach to resume service between Haneda and Seoul|access-date=2023-04-02|website=Japan Today}}</ref>

Korea Airports announced an expansion and remodeling of the terminals in 2013, adding new gates and security checkpoints.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2977016|title=Gimpo Airport to get 250 billion won upgrade|website=Korea JoongAng Daily|date=2 September 2013 |access-date=2018-08-03}}</ref> In 2017, the South Korean government announced that a new terminal would be built to meet growing domestic traffic.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2017/04/14/0200000000AEN20170414003400320.html|title=S. Korea to build new terminal at Gimpo Airport by 2025|work=Yonhap News Agency|access-date=2018-08-03|language=en}}</ref>

Gimpo currently has two runways, {{convert|3600|×|45|m}} and {{convert|3200|×|60|m}}, two passenger terminals, and one cargo terminal.{{update inline|date=June 2021}}

==Airlines and destinations==  {{airport-dest-list | Air Busan | Busan, Jeju  | Air China | Beijing–Capital  | Air Seoul | Jeju<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sisaweek.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=125763|script-title=ko:에어서울, 일본발 악재에 '국내선' 유턴|language=ko|date=30 August 2019}}</ref>  | All Nippon Airways | Tokyo–Haneda  | Asiana Airlines | Beijing–Capital,<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2025_SEL_1186_1190">{{OAGWorldAug2025Ref|title=Seoul, Korea Republic Of SEL|pages=1186-1190}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Flight Route Schedule Information |url=https://flyasiana.com/C/US/EN/customer/notice/detail?id=CM202302230001796770&dispCt=all&page=1&searchOption=0&searchText= |website=Asiana Airlines |access-date=22 September 2023}}</ref> Gwangju,<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2025_SEL_1186_1190"/> Jeju,<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2025_SEL_1186_1190"/> Osaka–Kansai,<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2025_SEL_1186_1190"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/221216-oz1q23kix|title=Asiana Airlines Resumes Seoul Gimpo – Osaka Service in 1Q23|website=Aeroroutes|date=16 December 2022|access-date=18 December 2022}}</ref> Shanghai–Hongqiao,<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2025_SEL_1186_1190"/> Tokyo–Haneda,<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2025_SEL_1186_1190"/> Yeosu<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2025_SEL_1186_1190"/>  | China Airlines | Taipei–Songshan<ref>{{OAGWorldAug2025Ref|title=Taipei, Chinese Taipei TPE|pages=1253-1255}}</ref>  | China Eastern Airlines | Shanghai–Hongqiao  | {{nowrap|China Southern Airlines}} | Beijing–Daxing  | Eastar Jet | Jeju,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230314006000320?section=search|title=Eastar to resume flights this month for turnaround|publisher=Yonhap News Agency|date=14 March 2023}}</ref> Taipei–Songshan<ref>{{cite web |title=EastarJet 3Q23 Network Additions |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230630-ze3q23 |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=30 June 2023}}</ref>  | EVA Air | Taipei–Songshan<ref>{{OAGWorldAug2025Ref|title=Taipei, Chinese Taipei TPE|pages=1253-1255}}</ref>  | Japan Airlines | Tokyo–Haneda  | Jeju Air | Busan, Jeju, Kaohsiung,<ref>{{cite web|title=Jeju Air Resumes Seoul Gimpo – Kaohsiung Service in 2H25|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/250530-7c2h25gmpkhh}}</ref> Osaka–Kansai  | Jin Air | Busan,<ref name="Jin">{{cite web |last1=Liu |first1=Jim |title=Jin Air adds new domestic routes in 2Q20 |url=https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/291446/jin-air-adds-new-domestic-routes-in-2q20/ |website=Routesonline |access-date=26 May 2020}}</ref> Jeju, Pohang–Gyeongju,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20200716146400053?input=1195m|script-title=ko:포항~김포, 포항~제주 노선 진에어 31일 취항|publisher=Yonhap News Agency|language=ko|date=16 July 2020}}</ref> Sacheon,<ref>{{cite news|date=6 January 2022|title=Jin Air to Open Sacheon-Gimpo Route From January 28|publisher=Haps Magazine|url=https://www.hapskorea.com/jin-air-to-open-sacheon-gimpo-route-from-january-28/}}</ref> Ulsan, Yeosu<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ytn.co.kr/_ln/0102_202006030956529690|script-title=ko:진에어, 김포~여수·여수~제주 노선 신규 취항|publisher=YTN News|language=ko|date=3 June 2020}}</ref>  | Korean Air | Beijing–Capital,<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2025_SEL_1186_1190"/> Busan,<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2025_SEL_1186_1190"/> Jeju,<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2025_SEL_1186_1190"/> Osaka–Kansai,<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2025_SEL_1186_1190"/> Shanghai–Hongqiao,<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2025_SEL_1186_1190"/> Tokyo–Haneda,<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2025_SEL_1186_1190"/> Ulsan<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2025_SEL_1186_1190"/>  | Parata Air | Jeju<ref>{{cite web |title=Parata Air Schedules Domestic Korea Service Debut in late-Sep 2025 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/250918-wenw25 |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=19 September 2025}}</ref>  | Peach Aviation | Nagoya–Centrair,<ref name="PeachGMP">{{cite web|title=Peach Adds Seoul Gimpo Service in NS25|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/250220-mmns25gmp}}</ref> Osaka–Kansai<ref name="PeachGMP"/>  | Shanghai Airlines | Shanghai–Hongqiao<ref>{{cite web |title=Mainland Chinese Carriers NS23 International / Regional Network – 23APR23 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230424-cnns23 |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=24 April 2023}}</ref>  | SUM Air | Sacheon<ref>{{Cite news|title=섬에어, 국토부 운항증명 취득…12일부터 김포∼사천 운항|trans-title=SUM Air receives air operation certificate from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport…Begins Gimpo∼Sacheon on 12th|url=https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20260310095400003?input=1195m|access-date=10 March 2026|publisher=Yonhap News Agency|language=ko}}</ref>  | T'way Air | Jeju, Kaohsiung,<ref>{{cite web |title=T'Way Air Confirms Seoul Gimpo – Kaohsiung late-June 2024 Launch |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/240502-twjun24khh |website=AeroRoutes |access-date=4 May 2024 |language=en-CA}}</ref> Taipei–Songshan<ref>{{cite web |title=T'Way Air Resumes Taipei Service From Dec 2022 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/221103-twdec22tsa |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=3 November 2022}}</ref>  | Tigerair Taiwan | Kaohsiung<ref>{{cite web |title=tigerair Taiwan Begins Kaohsiung – Seoul Gimpo Service in late-June 2023 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230703-itjun23khhgmp |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=3 July 2023}}</ref>  |}}

== Statistics == === Routes === In 2024, the most popular international destinations from Gimpo International Airport were as follows: {| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 90%;" |+ '''Busiest international routes (2024)''' |- ! Rank ! Destination ! Passengers ! Top carriers |- | 1 | Tokyo–Haneda | 1,885,538 | All Nippon Airways, Asiana Airlines, Japan Airlines, Korean Air |- | 2 | Osaka–Kansai | 823,428 | Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air, Korean Air |- | 3 | Shanghai–Hongqiao | 521,383 | Asiana Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Korean Air, Shanghai Airlines |- | 4 | Taipei–Songshan | 241,453 | China Airlines, Eastar Jet, EVA Air, T'way Air |- | 5 | Beijing–Capital | 204,489 | Air China, Asiana Airlines, Korean Air |- | 6 | Kaohsiung | 131,594 | China Airlines, Jeju Air, Tigerair Taiwan, T'way Air |- | 7 | Beijing–Daxing | 128,523 | China Southern Airlines |- |}

In 2024, the most popular domestic destinations from Gimpo International Airport were as follows: {| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 90%;" |+ '''Busiest domestic routes (2024)''' |- ! Rank ! Destination ! Passengers ! Top carriers |- | 1 | Jeju | 15,278,561 | Air Busan, Air Seoul, Asiana Airlines, Eastar Jet, Jeju Air, Jin Air, Korean Air, T'way Air |- | 2 | Busan | 2,822,980 | Air Busan, Eastar Jet, Jeju Air, Jin Air, Korean Air, T'way Air |- | 3 | Ulsan | 281,284 | Jin Air, Korean Air |- | 4 | Yeosu | 257,141 | Asiana Airlines, Jin Air |- | 5 | Sacheon | 195,806 | Jin Air |- | 6 | Gwangju | 157,678 | Asiana Airlines |- | 7 | Pohang–Gyeongju | 59,798 | Jin Air |- |}

=== Traffic by calendar year === {{Airport-Statistics|iata=GMP}} {| class="wikitable sortable"; style="text-align: center; font-size: 95%" |+Traffic by calendar year ! !Passenger volume !Aircraft operations !Cargo tonnage |- !2001 |22,041,099 |'''154,164''' |'''708,073''' |- !2002 |17,092,095 |128,428 |302,240 |- !2003 |16,880,641 |126,343 |290,731 |- !2004 |7,674,153 |52,212 |175,850 |- !2005 |13,448,152 |94,787 |272,304 |- !2006 |13,766,523 |94,943 |274,368 |- !2007 |13,811,004 |100,124 |248,736 |- !2008 |14,264,693 |108,015 |203,977 |- !2009 |15,369,944 |115,895 |230,115 |- !2010 |17,565,901 |118,514 |226,493 |- !2011 |18,513,927 |126,115 |260,135 |- !2012 |19,429,224 |130,269 |254,563 |- !2013 |19,904,327 |134,623 |246,227 |- !2014 |21,566,946 |138,706 |271,990 |- !2015 |23,163,778 |142,863 |271,066 |- !2016 |25,043,299 |146,266 |274,712 |- !2017 |25,101,147 |145,507 |266,428 |- !2018 |24,602,588 |141,080 |267,266 |- !2019 |'''25,448,416''' |140,422 |253,395 |- !2020 |17,446,239 |113,580 |142,380 |- !2021 |22,525,417 |138,855 |142,439 |- !2022 |24,524,065 |143,713 |163,918 |- !2023 |23,424,158 |134,560 |185,570 |- | colspan="4" |''Source: Korea Airports Corporation Traffic Statistics''<ref>[https://www.airport.kr/co/en/cpr/statisticOfLocalAirport.do "KAC 한국공항공사"].</ref> |}

== Other facilities == Korea Airports Corporation (KAC) has its headquarters on the airport property.<ref>"[http://www.airport.co.kr/wwweng/content/contents.do?cid=2016010521075297549&menuId=1679 Directions]" (see enclosed map). Korea Airports Corporation. Retrieved on June 22, 2017. "07505 Korea Airports Corporation∥78 Haneul-gil Gangseo-gu, SEOUL" - [http://www.airport.co.kr/www/content/contents.do?cid=2015102904105939543&menuId=113 Directions and address in Korean]: "07505 서울 강서구 하늘길 78 한국공항공사 [ 전화번호 1661-2626 ]"</ref>

The Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB) has its FDR/CVR Analysis and Wreckage Laboratory on the property of the airport.<ref>"[http://araib.mltm.go.kr/USR/WPGE0201/m_34586/DTL.jsp Office Location]." ([https://web.archive.org/web/20140101162433/http://araib.mltm.go.kr/USR/WPGE0201/m_34586/DTL.jsp Archive]) Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board. Retrieved on 15 February 2012. "CVR/FDR analysis and wreckage laboratory : Gimpo International Airport 274 Gwahae-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, Korea 157–711"</ref> When the predecessor agency Korea Aviation Accident Investigation Board (KAIB) existed, its CVR/FDR and wreckage laboratory was located on the airport property.<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20060518132314/http://152.99.129.24/eng/rct/Final%20report-English2005.4.15.pdf KAIB/AAR F0201]." Korea Aviation Accident Investigation Board. 4/168. Retrieved on 18 June 2009. "The main office is located near Gimpo International Airport, and the flight recorder analysis and wreckage laboratories are located inside the airport."</ref>

==Ground transportation== [[File:Seoul-metro-line-9-902-Gimpo-international-airport-station-platform-20180913-164306.jpg|thumb|The platform at Gimpo International Airport station]]

===Railway=== On 23 March 2007, the AREX airport express line started operations to Incheon International Airport, with an extension to Seoul Station which opened in December 2010. Seoul Subway Line 9 also links the airport to the Gangnam area. For many years, the airport was served by the Gimpo Line, a railway line that no longer exists. In the 1990s, Seoul Subway Line 5 was extended to Gimpo Airport. In 2019, the Gimpo Goldline began service to the airport. On 1 July 2023, the Seohae Line began service to the airport.

===Roadway=== Gimpo International Airport is connected to Incheon International Airport by Incheon International Airport Expressway via Gimpo Airport Interchange. Some others road also linked Gimpo Airport with Seoul and nearby province including National Route 39, National Route 48, Olympic-daero and Seoul City Route 92 (Nambu Beltway).

==Accidents and incidents== * On 22 February 1957, a USAF Douglas C-124 Globemaster II crashed near SEL after takeoff because of a prop/turbine blade separation, resulting in a forced landing in the Han River. Out of a total of 159 passengers and crew on board, 21 were killed.<ref>{{ASN accident|id=19570222-0|title=51-141|accessdate= October 11, 2023}}</ref> * On 19 November 1980, Korean Air Lines Flight 015, a Boeing 747-200 landed short of the runway, ripping off all main landing gear, causing the aircraft to skid to a stop on the nose wheel and outer two engines starting a fire. 15 of the 226 total occupants were killed, including the first officer and captain.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19801119-1|title=ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 747-2B5B HL7445 Seoul-Gimpo (Kimpo) International Airport (SEL)|first=Harro|last=Ranter|website=aviation-safety.net}}</ref> * On 25 November 1989, Korean Air Flight 175, a Fokker F28-4000 en route to Ulsan Airport crashed right after takeoff. No one was killed,but 40 people were wounded.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://newslibrary.naver.com/viewer/index.nhn?articleId=1989112500209201003&edit=2&printCount=1&publishDate=1989-11-25&officeId=00020&pageNo=1&printNo=20970&publishType=00020|title=KAL기 이륙순간 추락 폭발|publisher=The Dong-A Ilbo|date=25 November 1989|access-date=22 February 2019}}</ref> * On 5 August 1998, Korean Air Flight 8702, a Boeing 747-400, rolled off the runway upon touchdown and slid into a ditch, resulting in the destruction of the aircraft's undercarriage and the fuselage being split. All 395 of the total occupants survived and the aircraft was written off.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19980805-0|title=ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 747-4B5 HL7496 Seoul-Gimpo (Kimpo) International Airport (SEL)|first=Harro|last=Ranter|website=aviation-safety.net}}</ref>

==Notes== {{notelist}}

==References== {{reflist}}

*{{US Air Force}} *{{Marine Corps}}

== External links == {{Commons category}} {{wikivoyage}} * [https://www.airport.co.kr/gimpoeng/main.do Official website]

{{Portalbar|South Korea|Aviation}} {{Airports in South Korea}} {{Public transport in the Seoul Metropolitan Area}} {{authority control}}

Category:Gimpo International Airport Category:Airports established in 1939 Category:Airports established in 1958 Category:1939 establishments in Korea Category:1958 establishments in South Korea Category:Airports in South Korea Category:Transport in Seoul Category:Buildings and structures in Gangseo District, Seoul Category:Korean War air bases Category:Installations of the United States Air Force in South Korea Category:20th-century architecture in South Korea Category:Airports in Korea under Japanese rule Category:Military installations of Japan in Korea