Eligible passengers will soon no longer be able to use the Asiana Airlines lounges at Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport.

This change is due to a restructuring as Asiana lounges relocate to Terminal 2 ahead of the airline's integration with Korean Air.

According to Incheon International Airport Corporation, even after Asiana Airlines moved its base to Terminal 2 last January, four Asiana lounges continued to operate in the duty-free zone of the Terminal 1 departure area.

These lounges are currently used as spaces for passengers traveling with Star Alliance, the global airline alliance.

Because Asiana Airlines is a member of Star Alliance, lounge partnerships have been available.

However, as Asiana Airlines withdraws from Star Alliance in December following its merger with Korean Air, changes to lounge operations are scheduled.

Among the four lounges, one will be established as a dedicated StarAlliance branded lounge and will continue to operate as a convenience space for Star Alliance passengers, just as before.

This lounge is scheduled to begin operations on December 17, when Asiana Airlines withdraws from Star Alliance.

Currently, 14 Star Alliance member airlines, including Asiana Airlines, use Incheon Airport as a hub airport.

The other two lounges located on the east side of the terminal will be used as lounges for Trinity Airlines, a domestic carrier that changed its name from T'way Air.

Trinity Airlines is reportedly planning to start lounge operations during the second quarter of next year, following internal renovation work.

The operator for the remaining one lounge has not yet been decided, and the Incheon International Airport Corporation is currently conducting a demand survey targeting airlines.

(Photo: Provided by Incheon International Airport Corporation, Yonhap News)