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This year's Korean Mid-Autumn Festival (Chuseok), falling around September 16-18, has sparked excitement among South Koreans long before the holiday. The festive atmosphere has permeated the entire country as people busily plan short trips. Airports of all sizes are anticipating a record number of tourists during this period, demonstrating the immense appeal of Chuseok to the Korean people.
From September 13th to September 18th, Incheon Airport is expected to handle an average of 201,000 passengers per day, totaling 1.204 million passengers over six days. If this forecast is accurate, it would be the highest number of airport passengers ever recorded during a Chuseok holiday.
South Korea is preparing to serve a large number of tourists during the Chuseok holiday.
This figure is projected to exceed the average of 187,000 people per day recorded during Chuseok in 2017 by approximately 7%, representing an 11.6% increase compared to Chuseok in 2023 and an 11.8% increase compared to 2019 – the period before the COVID-19 pandemic. The busiest day is expected to be September 18th, with 213,000 travelers. September 14th is predicted to be the day with the highest number of outbound travelers at the airport, with 121,000 passengers.
Other airports across South Korea are also preparing for a busy holiday period. According to the Korea Airports Corporation, one airport is expected to serve approximately 1.47 million travelers (1.12 million domestic and 350,000 international) during the holiday.
This year's Korean Mid-Autumn Festival (Chuseok), falling around September 16-18, has sparked much excitement among Koreans, with preparations beginning many days in advance.
To meet the increased travel demand, Incheon International Airport Corporation has urged passengers to utilize public transportation and smart services. Additionally, to ensure a smooth travel experience during the holiday season, 14 airports across South Korea will offer free parking for domestic travelers during the holiday.
To celebrate Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving), Seoul has prepared a rich and diverse festival program. From September 16th to 18th, the streets around Cheonggye Stream will transform into a vibrant street art stage. Locals and tourists will be immersed in the festive atmosphere with spectacular performances such as traditional plays, folk dances, street magic, and many other captivating circus acts. This promises to be an opportunity for everyone to experience the beauty of traditional Korean culture.
