South Korea airport workers to go on strike from Sep. 19 to Oct. 9

Unionised workers at 15 airports in South Korea will go on a three-week general strike from Sep. 19, 2025.

Workers from Incheon International Airport division of the Korean Public and Social Services and Transport Workers' Union (KPTU) and the umbrella union for South Korean airports held a press conference on Sep. 9 asking relevant authorities for better shift schedules, reported The Korea Herald.

The strike is expected to end on Oct. 9, coinciding with the Korean holiday of Chuseok.

Workers want changes to shift schedule

The workers are advocating for a a revision of their shift schedule.

The shift pattern currently operates with three teams on two shifts.

As such, workers are typically assigned two consecutive day shifts followed by two consecutive night shifts to maintain round-the-clock airport operations.

The workers are requesting a rotating schedule split into four teams, allowing for more rest after night shifts.

Additional demands include increasing airport staffing levels.

The workers said that they will proceed with the strike on Sep. 19 "unless the Incheon International Airport Corporation and the Korea Airports Corporation show indications of a change".

Strikes likely to delay flights, airport will not halt operations

The upcoming strikes will involve those responsible for essential airport operations, including the maintenance of facilities and runways.

According to Chosun Biz, the workers intend to maintain the strike until the Chuseok holiday.

Given that airport delays of three to eight hours were experienced during the Lunar New Year holiday without a strike, they warn that flight operations during Chuseok could be disrupted.

This may potentially lead to cancellations.

However, air travel will not be completely halted at the airports as it is legally mandated to continue even during strikes.

Top photos via 인천공항 Incheon Airport/Facebook