AREX upgrades Seoul Station airport terminal amid travel surge

Airport Railroad (AREX) said Friday it had completed renovations at the City Airport Terminal at Seoul Station to accommodate growing demand for convenient check-in experience.

The facility enables travelers to check in, drop off baggage, and complete immigration procedures before they head to Incheon Airport.

AREX’s express train ridership reached 2.66 million in 2025, up more than 35 percent from 2019. The terminal also handled 470,000 users over the year, an average of 1,302 per day. During peak periods such as holiday seasons, daily passenger numbers exceeded 2,000, highlighting the need to reduce congestion.

In response, AREX introduced a queue management system and smart baggage scales in October last year, while streamlining passenger routes and expanding waiting areas.

Under the new queue system, travelers can receive a number from a kiosk and monitor their turn on screens in the waiting area, helping ease lines around check-in counters.

The smart baggage scales let users weigh their luggage before checking in, preventing delays caused by excess baggage.

AREX also installed numbered signs along the route from the information center to the express train gates, making it easier for passengers to navigate their way through the terminal easily.

Waiting areas were expanded and separated from check-in zones to create a smoother flow of travelers.

“Seoul Station City Airport Terminal is a key customer service that allows passengers to complete airport procedures in the city before heading to the airport,” AREX CEO, Park Dae-soo said. “The renovation has created a more convenient environment for passengers to start their journeys.”