Korean Air has completed the modernisation of its cargo terminal at Seoul’s Incheon International Airport, converting the facility into a fully integrated Smart Terminal. The upgrade increased hourly Unit Load Device processing capacity from 18 to 30 units, while total cargo-handling capacity is projected to rise by more than 25%.
The programme ran from June 2025 to September 2026, with cargo operations continuing throughout the works. Automated Guided Vehicles and new Elevating Transfer Vehicles now support cargo movement and handling, while the terminal’s bypass infrastructure has expanded from one automated transfer line to two.
The automation is designed to reduce manual handling of heavy equipment and improve operational precision. Korean Air is also expanding facilities for specialised cargo. Its existing Cool Cargo Center at Incheon can store and process more than 150 tonnes of fresh cargo at a time.
The carrier has begun a separate modernisation project at its cargo terminal at New York John F. Kennedy International Airport, with completion targeted for 2027.