INCHEON — Catholic Kwandong University’s International St. Mary’s Hospital is stepping in to manage the primary medical center at Incheon International Airport’s Terminal 1, officials announced Friday.

The transition marks a significant change for the facility, located on the basement level of Terminal 1’s east wing. Inha University Hospital had run the center since the airport first opened its doors in 2001. However, Inha University Hospital will maintain its operations at the Terminal 2 medical facility in the western basement level.

According to airport authorities, the decision stems from consecutive operating deficits faced by Inha University Hospital at Terminal 1, compounded by the shift of major airlines—including Korean Air and Asiana Airlines—toward Terminal 2.

Operating 365 days a year from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, the airport medical hub provides vital healthcare services, including routine check-ups, general consultations, and urgent care. The clinic handles roughly 67,000 patients annually, serving as a critical safety net for travelers, airport workers, and the surrounding community. Facilities include emergency triage rooms, examination spaces, and diagnostic labs.

Kim Bum-ho, acting CEO of Incheon International Airport Corporation, emphasized the airport's commitment to robust healthcare infrastructure. "We will maintain close partnerships with both medical institutions to guarantee that the airport medical center remains a dependable safety net for everyone on-site and in the wider community," he noted.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]