Incheon International Airport Corporation has been awarded the top prize at the government-hosted Public Institution AI Innovation Challenge for establishing a safety management system that utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor and predict risks throughout the entire flight process, from landing to takeoff.
According to Incheon Airport Corporation on October 28, the organization received the award in the AI utilization excellence category for its "AI Analysis-Based Improvement of Aircraft Operation Safety Management System" at the 2026 Public Institution AI Innovation Challenge, hosted by the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Science and ICT. The award ceremony took place at Nurikumsquare in Mapo-gu, Seoul.
Incheon Airport serves an average of about 1,200 flights and 210,000 passengers daily. The corporation has developed an "AI-Based Aviation Safety Management System" that detects potential risks in various areas, including air traffic control, aircraft operations, and ground handling, using AI predictive data.
The system monitors the entire process of an aircraft from landing to takeoff in real time, identifying potential risks or anomalies in advance. The corporation explained that this approach shifts safety management from a reactive, personnel-based system to a proactive, AI-driven model.
During the air traffic control process, AI video analysis technology detects risky situations and abnormal behaviors in real time. In the process of guiding aircraft to the parking area, AI automatically identifies aircraft and surrounding obstacles, providing real-time alerts for hazardous conditions such as low visibility or lightning.
Following this recognition, the corporation plans to expand the application of AI-based safety management technologies and broaden the expertise and operational experience accumulated in aviation safety across overall airport operations.
Last year, Incheon Airport Corporation also received an award from the government for improving airport operations through AI. At that time, the corporation's congestion management system, which calculated expected wait times from the departure hall to security checks and immigration using AI and big data, won the top prize at the "2025 Public AI Transformation Challenge Grand Finals."
Kim Beom-ho, acting president of Incheon Airport Corporation, stated, "This award recognizes our efforts to enhance aviation safety through AI and innovate public services for the citizens. We will expand AI technology across all areas of the airport and create innovations that the public can feel."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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