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Kansai
International
Airport
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Aiming at the creation of an environment-friendly airport
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| Kansai International Airport (KIX) is the Japan's first international airport to be operational round-the-clock. Because of the need to properly resolve environmental problems at Osaka International Airport and satisfy the growing demand for air transport in the Kansai region, this airport was built 5 km offshore from Senshu in the southeast of Osaka Bay fully taking into account the need for the protection of the environment. 2007 is the 13th-anniversary of KIX since it opened in September 1994. |
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In order to utilize private-sector vitality for this public-works project, the construction and administration of the airport are conducted by Kansai International Airport Co., Ltd. (a special corporation established through joint investment by the national government, local governments, and the private sector), which was organized on the basis of a special law.
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Growth as an international hub airport in the Kansai region
The Kansai region, where the Kansai International Airport is located, is a major economic region of Japan with a population of about 24 million and its gross regional product of about 92 trillion yen is equivalent to approximately 19% of Japan's total GDP.
In addition to its economy, also in terms of its culture, this region is one of the foremost regions that have outstanding tourist attractions, including Kyoto and Nara, both of which are ancient capitals and centers of traditional culture in Japan that have the status of world cultural heritage, as well as containing numerous national treasures and important cultural properties. The airport therefore has played the important role to provide an air gateway connecting this attractive area with various regions in the country and other countries around the world in order to support the exchange of goods and people at home and abroad.
In fiscal 2006, the number of takeoffs and landings was approximately 116,000, the number
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of passengers about 16,677,000, and the volume of cargo some 802,000 tons. In response to growth expected for air transport demand and for the reinforcement of the international competitiveness, the second runway (4,000 m) come into use in August 2007. This is the Japan’s first international airport to be operational round-the-clock with multiple 4,000-meter class runway. Facilities to be brought into service in August 2007 are limited to the runway and essential facilities. After the commencement of such limited-facility service, facilities development will proceed on priority and a step-by-step basis in accordance with air transport demand and management status.
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| Outline of Kansai International Airport |
| Number of aircrafts spots |
66 spots |
| Hours of operation |
24 hours |
| Runway length |
Runway A : 3,500 m×1
Runway B : 4,000 m×1 (Open Aug 2, 2007) |
| Airport area |
1st airport island : Approx. 510 ha
2nd airport island : Approx. 540 ha (Under construction) |
| Number of takeoffs and landings per year |
Approx. 116,000 (In fiscal 2006) |
| Number of passengers |
Total: Approx. 16,677,000
International : Approx. 11,216,000
Domestic : Approx. 5,460,000
(In fiscal 2006) |
| Volume of cargo |
Approx. 802,000 tons (In fiscal 2006) |
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For greater comfort―Transit convenience and airport access
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Sixty-three carriers are operating air services to and from the Kansai International Airport, which serves 71 cities in 31 countries and regions around the world, and 14 domestic cities. Moreover, the airport features great convenience, including easy transit between domestic and international airlines by just moving vertically by escalator or elevator within a single passenger terminal building. According to the overall ranking for "Airport of the Year 2006" by a British research company, Kansai International Airport is ranked the fourth in the world (the first rank among airports in Japan, and the third in the Asia Pacific region). Thus, it is estimated highly by airport users.
The airport has provided various means of access to and from each city in the Kansai region right since its opening. There is a close network consisting of expressways directly connected to the airport and railways running to and from the airport station. For example, it only takes less than 30 minutes by the fastest train and about 50 minutes by limousine bus from KIX to Osaka city.
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