Incheon Airport installs fence after viral queue-jumping incidents

Incheon International Airport in South Korea has put up a barrier around check-in counter E in Terminal 1, after a series of crowd surges at check-in queues there.

The move followed a video from early July 2026 that circulated online, showing dozens of passengers rushing toward counters serving a China-bound flight. Some pushed luggage carts under or around belt barriers to get ahead of others in a zigzag queue. Local media reported at least five similar incidents between July 2 and July 10, 2026.

Several airport employees were reported to have suffered bruises and abrasions while trying to redirect passengers back into the designated lines.

The travelers involved were believed to be so-called daigou shoppers, who buy discounted goods in South Korea for resale in China. Airport officials said part of the congestion stemmed from a recent change, though it is not specified what that change was.

Incheon International Airport Corporation said the new fence includes stickers on its transparent panels, to stop passengers from walking into them by accident. Additional safety personnel have been deployed to the area. Digital signage now warns travelers that check-in service may be refused if staff safety is threatened.

An airport official said there have been no further queue-jumping incidents since the measures were introduced, and added that passenger safety remains a priority for the airport.