Incheon: Incheon International Airport, the country's main gateway, received its 1 billionth passenger Tuesday, marking a new milestone 25 years after its opening, the airport operator said.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the number, which is the accumulated total since the airport opened on March 29, 2001, translates to 108,000 passengers a day, 4,513 per hour, and 75 per minute. Notably, Incheon International Airport reached this landmark faster than its global counterparts. Munich International Airport took 33 years and 10 months; Singapore Changi Airport 35 years and five months; Narita International Airport 39 years and two months; and Dubai International Airport 58 years and two months to achieve the same feat.

The 1 billionth passenger to travel through Incheon was 28-year-old Ayaka Hara from Japan. To commemorate this significant occasion, the airport operator presented her with a plaque and a plane ticket. Since its inception, the airport has consistently experienced growing passenger traffic, except during the COVID-19 pandemic, surpassing 100 million passengers in October 2005 and 500 million passengers in July 2016.

Incheon International Airport has also significantly expanded its services since opening. Initially, it connected to 33 countries, 109 cities, and 47 airlines. Today, the airport's network has grown to include 53 countries, 183 cities, and 101 airlines, reflecting its ongoing commitment to enhancing connectivity and services for international travelers.