A milestone achievement highlighting Otis’ commitment to engineering excellence and innovation
Elevator World magazine has once again recognized outstanding achievements in the vertical transportation industry, and this year one of the most notable honors went to Otis Worldwide Corporation. The publication selected an Otis project as a winner in its highly regarded annual Project of the Year awards, highlighting the company’s extensive expertise in supporting airport infrastructure and large-scale transportation hubs around the world.
The award was presented specifically for Otis’s work at Incheon International Airport in South Korea, one of the busiest and most technologically advanced airports in the world. The project was recognized in the Moving Walks category, celebrating Otis Korea’s significant contributions to the airport’s expansion of Terminal 2, a monumental undertaking designed to increase capacity and elevate passenger experience as the airport positions itself as a global mega hub.
Incheon International Airport has long been considered one of Asia’s leading gateways, known for its efficiency, modern facilities, and world-class passenger services. As passenger and cargo volume continued to grow, the airport embarked on an ambitious expansion strategy aimed at ensuring that it could accommodate up to 106 million passengers a year, along with a substantial increase in cargo handling. To support this vision, the terminal expansion required reliable, high-capacity vertical transportation systems capable of moving people smoothly, safely, and comfortably through massive airport spaces.
Between 2021 and 2024, Otis Elevator Korea played a central role in delivering this infrastructure. The company installed an impressive 172 units of vertical transportation equipment across the expanded Terminal 2 facility. This included 20 elevators, 80 escalators, and 72 moving walks, each engineered and configured to meet the unique demands of a modern international airport environment.
Executing this installation within a multilayered construction environment was a formidable task. Airports are among the most complex infrastructure projects due to their strict security requirements, constant passenger traffic, expansive layout, and the number of contractors working simultaneously. Otis teams had to coordinate closely with construction partners, airport authorities, architects, and engineering firms to ensure every element of the installation was completed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with tight schedules.
The complexity of the project required meticulous planning and exceptional communication at every stage. Otis Korea utilized rigorous project management practices, ensuring each phase of the installation aligned with the evolving needs of the broader terminal construction. Stakeholder coordination was essential—mechanical, electrical, and structural teams all had to operate in parallel without disrupting airport operations. Otis’s ability to integrate seamlessly into this challenging environment was a major contributor to the project’s success and a key reason it earned Elevator World’s recognition.
Among the most remarkable components of the installation were the record-setting moving walks. Otis installed several ultra-long moving walks, including units measuring 125 meters and two measuring 136 meters, which now hold the distinction of being the longest continuous moving walks in Asia. These systems are not only impressive in length but also in engineering sophistication.
Otis equipped these extended moving walks with a synchronized dual-motor solution, designed to ensure smooth, efficient, and reliable operation even under heavy passenger loads. This advanced drive configuration significantly enhances durability and performance while reducing wear, ensuring that the moving walks can withstand continuous usage in one of the busiest airport environments in the world. Such innovations demonstrate Otis’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of vertical mobility technologies and setting new standards for passenger transit convenience.
Before these massive moving walks ever arrived on site, Otis performed full factory assembly and testing, an approach that reflects the company’s uncompromising focus on safety and quality. The 136-meter walk, in particular, was assembled at the factory in its entirety—allowing engineers to conduct comprehensive inspections, perform precise alignment checks, and validate the synchronization of the dual-motor system. After achieving the required quality benchmarks, the unit was then carefully disassembled, shipped to the construction site, and reassembled during installation.
Following the installation at Incheon’s expanded terminal, Otis Korea conducted an additional six rounds of rigorous on-site testing. These tests allowed the team to confirm flawless performance under real conditions, verify safety systems, and ensure compliance with strict airport operational standards. This multi-step testing process reinforced the reliability of the equipment and ensured that passengers would experience seamless movement from the very first day of terminal operations.
Otis’s history with Incheon International Airport spans more than two decades. Since the airport’s grand opening in 2001, Otis Korea has installed approximately 650 elevators, escalators, and moving walks throughout the airport’s terminals, concourses, and transportation connections. These systems have supported countless journeys, helping millions of passengers, airport employees, and visitors navigate the expansive facility easily and comfortably. The consistent partnership between Otis and the airport reflects a shared commitment to safety, efficiency, and accessibility for travelers of all ages and abilities.
Over time, the airport’s reliance on Otis solutions has grown, not only because of their engineering strength but also due to Otis’s exemplary maintenance and service capabilities. Airports require 24/7 uptime, and Otis has continually provided the support necessary to ensure minimal downtime and maximum system availability. This reliability—from installation to ongoing service—has made Otis a trusted partner in Incheon’s evolution into one of the world’s premier aviation hubs.
Elevator World’s Project of the Year awards showcase extraordinary innovation and excellence across the global elevator and escalator industry. Winning the Moving Walks category is a testament to the scale, complexity, and ingenuity of the Incheon Terminal 2 expansion project. For Otis, the award reflects not just a successful installation, but a broader legacy of contributing to infrastructure that connects people and economies worldwide.
The award-winning project will be featured in Elevator World’s January 2026 edition, where readers will gain further insight into the engineering expertise, logistical coordination, and technological advancements that made the Incheon project stand out among international submissions. The feature is expected to highlight Otis’s commitment to delivering advanced mobility solutions and its ability to support some of the world’s most demanding and high-profile infrastructure projects.
Ultimately, the Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 expansion demonstrates how vertical transportation plays a critical role in the overall passenger experience. As airports grow larger and more complex, the ability to move millions of people safely and efficiently through terminals becomes a defining factor of operational success. Through its innovative equipment, disciplined project execution, and long-standing partnership with Incheon, Otis has once again proven its leadership in designing and delivering mobility systems that shape the future of global travel.
Source link: https://www.otis.com/en/
