[APEC 2025] Pohang-Gyeongju Airport Emerges as Key Gateway During APEC Summit

As the APEC Summit unfolds in Gyeongju, Pohang-Gyeongju Airport — once a modest facility primarily serving military operations and a handful of domestic flights — is rapidly transforming into a bustling hub for international business leaders and dignitaries.

On October 28 at approximately 2:40 p.m., Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun arrived at the airport aboard a private jet, following a high-level meeting in Saudi Arabia with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. His arrival marks one of several high-profile landings at the airport in recent days.

Throughout the day, additional chartered flights from cities such as Jinan and Dalian in China also touched down. According to local authorities, over 40 special flight operations — including private and chartered jets — are scheduled to use the airport through November 1 during the summit period.

Pohang-Gyeongju Airport is currently serving as a key transit point for participants of the 2025 APEC CEO Summit hosted by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), which is taking place from October 28 to 31 in Gyeongju. Among the attendees is NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, alongside other prominent global corporate leaders.

Prior to the summit, the airport operated a modest schedule of just six domestic flights daily and primarily accommodated military aircraft used by the Navy and Marine Corps. However, since the influx of APEC-related flights began, the airport has seen a dramatic increase in traffic, functioning effectively as a de facto international airport.

This transformation was initiated earlier this year when SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won — who also serves as chairman of the KCCI — proposed designating Pohang-Gyeongju Airport as a dedicated terminal for global CEOs. In response, the Korea Airports Corporation, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, and other relevant agencies upgraded the airport's facilities.

Temporary CIQ (Customs, Immigration, Quarantine) services have been installed, and the VIP lounge has undergone renovations. Emergency services have also been reinforced, with fire engines and ambulances stationed at the premises. Joint simulation drills involving bio-terrorism scenarios and aircraft emergency response have been carried out by regional authorities, including Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, Pohang City, and the airport management team.

Security measures have likewise been heightened. Special operations police units with detection dogs are conducting frequent inspections across the airport grounds.

Inside the terminal, the usual cafeteria services have been expanded. While previously offering only lunch, the cafeteria now provides dinner during the summit period to accommodate increased staffing and extended operations.

The influx of visitors has also brought a wave of volunteer activity. On October 28, a group of 19 international students from Mongolia, China, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Vietnam were stationed at the airport to provide interpretation and guidance for arriving guests. These volunteers are students from Daegu University, Kyungil University, Yeungnam University, and Dongguk University's WISE Campus.

One student volunteer shared, "Our school posted information about volunteering opportunities, so I signed up. I think this will be a great experience."

With heightened activity, upgraded facilities, and an expanded staff, Pohang-Gyeongju Airport is playing a central logistical role during the APEC summit, marking a significant shift in its status from a little-known regional airstrip to a vital gateway for international diplomacy and commerce.