Star Alliance and Incheon International Airport Corporation sign MoU for cooperation on lounge operations

Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC) and Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline alliance, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a Star Alliance lounge at Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport.

Purpose:
To establish a dedicated Star Alliance lounge at Terminal 1, Incheon International Airport.

Timeline:
Expected to open in Q4 2026, coinciding with Asiana Airlines’ departure from Star Alliance (December 16, 2026, due to integration with Korean Air).

Transition:
The Asiana Airlines Business Lounge (West) in Terminal 1 will be converted into the new Star Alliance lounge.

Coverage:
Lounge access will be available to passengers of 14 Star Alliance member airlines, including Air India, connecting to 29 destinations worldwide.

Significance:
- Ensures continued premium lounge access for eligible passengers after Asiana exits the alliance.
- Reinforces Incheon’s role as a major international gateway, ranked #1 globally for international passenger traffic in the first half of 2026.
- This will be the seventh Star Alliance lounge worldwide, joining locations in Paris, Los Angeles, and Guangzhou.
- Star Alliance members already provide access to over 1,000 lounges globally.

Statements from leaders:
- Star Alliance VP Customer Experience, Ambar Franco: Highlighted Incheon’s importance and commitment to high-quality customer experience.
- IIAC COO, Kim Chang-gyu: Emphasized stability and premium service amid the Asiana–Korean Air integration, pledging operational support for Star Alliance’s expansion.

This partnership strengthens Incheon’s premium service infrastructure and Star Alliance’s global lounge network, ensuring seamless service continuity for travelers.