Four passengers reportedly left the airport without immigration checks but later returned to complete them
Korean Air has been fined 10 million won ($7,461) after dozens of passengers arriving on an international flight were mistakenly taken to the domestic terminal, allowing four of them to leave the airport without passing through immigration.
The incident occurred on June 7 after Korean Air flight KE2106 arrived at Gimpo Airport from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, according to industry sources Tuesday.
After the flight landed, passengers boarded several shuttle buses meant to take them to the international terminal. However, one bus carrying 52 passengers mistakenly took them to the domestic terminal instead.
Unaware of the situation, the passengers entered the terminal alongside domestic arrivals from another airline. During the process, four passengers reportedly left the airport without completing immigration procedures, but later returned to complete them.
Korean Air said the driver, who worked for a ground handling company, had mistakenly taken the bus to the domestic terminal. The airline said it immediately coordinated with the relevant authorities to ensure all passengers completed the required immigration procedures.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport found that Korean Air violated aviation security regulations and imposed a fine.
The airline said it will take the incident seriously and review its ground operations to prevent a recurrence.
junheee@heraldcorp.com
