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INCHEON: Incheon International Airport in South Korea is rated the world's best, according to a survey by British-based Skytrax. The 9-year-old facility has been voted number one by nearly 9 million passengers at 190 airports.
At Incheon airport, passengers can indulge in the luxury of five-star facilities and services, even if they are flying economy. They can watch movies on big-screen TVs, hook up to the Internet and take a shower – all for free.
Mina Choi, international relations director, Incheon International Airport Corporation, said: "We are also offering this day spa which offers manicure and pedicure, and we also offer massage at a reasonable price."
The airport was voted the world's best airport in 2009, dethroning Hong Kong and Singapore for the first time.
As the eighth busiest airport in Asia, Incheon now handles 30 million passengers a year, but rarely appears crowded as connection times have been cut from 55 to 45 minutes.
Incheon's top ranking today goes beyond just comfort and convenience – the strong sense of national pride shared by the staff also makes the airport stand out.
Lee Kang Sun, a janitor, said: "I'm very proud to work here. I'm passionate about my job. I'm doing this for the passengers here and for myself. I'm very grateful to be an employee here."
Lee Da Hyun, a Korea Cultural Experience Centre staff, said: "A lot of people visit this experience centre. Before their visit, they have never thought about the Korean traditional things. They said, 'Korea is very special and you guys have really special things'. I think I'm very proud of that."
Airports from Asia to the Middle East are now scrambling to emulate Incheon's success.
But South Korea is not resting on its laurels. It is going ahead with another US$3 billion expansion to handle 41 per cent more passengers and 29 per cent more cargo by 2015.
- CNA/so
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