Kansai International Airport

Airport Overview

Panoramic photo of Kansai International Airport.

KIX opened its doors in 1994, and has since become an important international hub for the country, providing one of the largest networks for both domestic and international routes with 24h operations. The airport is considered a gateway for the Kansai area, the Western part of Japan, receiving approximately 30 million passengers every year.

Facilities

Opening 4 September, 1994
Area 1st Airport Island
  • Approx. 510 ha
2nd Airport Island
  • Approx. 545 ha (planned total area)
Runway A (1st) runway
  • Length: 3,500 m
  • Width: 60 m
B (2nd) runway
  • Length: 4,000 m
  • Width: 60 m
Access bridge to KIX
  • Length: 3,750 m
  • Width (Road): 29.5 m (6 lanes)
  • Height at the middle of the bridge: 25 m
Passenger terminal 1 building
  • Entire length: 1,672 m
  • Main building: 318 m
  • Wings (South and North): 677 x 2
  • Floor space: 116,572 m2
  • Gross floor area: 305,573 m2
Wing shuttle※ Dimensions of the train
  • Length: 28.15 m
  • Width: 2.69 m
  • Height: 3.38 m
Maximum speed
  • 30 km/h
Capacity (3-car train)
  • For departure (1-car): 82 passengers
  • For arrival (2-car): 161 passengers
Train operation
  • Unmanned automatic driving
Driving system
  • Motor
Wheels
  • Rubber tires
Passenger terminal 2 building
  • Floor space: 57,971 m2
  • Gross floor area: 67,093 m2

*Automated Guideway Transit (AGT) that connects the main building of the passenger terminal to departure and arrival gates of the north / south wings.

Access map

Thumbnail of an airport road guide map.

Airport road map

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（104KB）
Thumbnail of a map showing routes from train stations.

From the railway station

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（52KB）

History of Airport

  • 2025

    • Mar.

      • Terminal 1 renovation grand opening.

  • 2024

    • Sep.

      • Terminal 1 Building 4th Floor New International Security Checkpoints Open Ahead of the Grand Opening.

    • May.

      • Seaweed Bed Project Wins First-Ever Platinum Award at "Green Airports Recognition 2024".

    • Apr.

      • KIX was awarded "World's Best Airport for Baggage Delivery" in Skytrax's prestigious World Airport Awards 2024.

  • 2023

    • Dec.

      • Terminal 1 renovation Opening of the new international departure area.

    • Apr.

      • “The Osaka Bay Sea Forest (Seaweed Bed) Conservation and Restoration Project” Seaweeds from Kansai International Airport were transplanted to Hannan City.

    • Mar.

      • Kansai Airports’ new environmental plan: The Environmental Vision 2050 and Environmental Goals 2030.

  • 2022

    • Dec.

      • Kansai Airports acquires J Blue Credit Certification.

    • Oct.

      • Full Renovation of Runway 1 (Construction to Raise Height) is Completed.
      • Terminal 1 renovation Opening of new domestic area.
      • Joined “ACT FOR SKY” working for the Commercialization, Promotion and Expansion of Domestically Produced SAF.

    • Jun.

      • Basic Agreement Concluded on Cooperation to Commercialize Domestic SAF Signed.
      • KIX was awarded "World's Best Airport for Baggage Delivery" and "World's Best Low-Cost Terminal" in Skytrax's prestigious World Airport Awards 2022.
      • Airbus and Kansai Airports partner to study the use of hydrogen in the decarbonisation of the aviation sector in Japan.

    • Feb.

      • CIRIUM 2021 Annual On-Time Departure Rate Ranking: 1st Place Worldwide in Medium Airport Category.

  • 2021

    • Nov.

      • KIX has upgraded to Level 4 certification of the Airport Carbon Accreditation.

    • May.

      • Groundbreaking ceremony held for KIX T1 Renovation Project.

    • Mar.

      • Kansai Airports Group sets a long-term target aiming for net zero greenhouse gas emissions and a decarbonized society.

    • Jan.

      • KIX Task Force ready for COVID-19 vaccine transportation.

  • 2020

    • May.

      • KIX was awarded "World's Best Airport Staff" "Best Airport Staff in Asia" and "World's Best Airport for Baggage Delivery" in Skytrax's prestigious World Airport Awards 2020.

  • 2019

    • Oct.

      • KIX Cargo Community was established.

    • Jun.

      • KIX Pharma Community achieved IATA’s CEIV Pharma.

    • Apr.

      • New KIX Operation Center and KIX Joint Crisis Management Group were established.
      • New BCP was formulated.

    • Mar.

      • KIX was awarded ”World’s Best Low-Cost Airport Terminal" and "World’s Best Airport for Baggage Delivery" in Skytrax's prestigious World Airport Awards 2019.

  • 2018

    • Dec.

      • KIX has upgraded to Level 3 certification of the Airport Carbon Accreditation.

    • Jun.

      • Business jet facility Premium Gate "Tamayura" opened.

    • Apr.

      • Arrival duty-free shops opened.

    • Mar.

      • KIX was awarded "Best Low-Cost Airlines Terminals" and "Best Airport Baggage Delivery" in Skytrax's prestigious World Airport Awards 2018.

  • 2017

    • Aug.

      • Formed KIX Pharma Community and began the process of obtaining IATA's CEIV Pharma certification.

    • Mar.

      • KIX was awarded "Best Airport Baggage Delivery Award" in Skytrax's prestigious World Airport Awards 2017.

    • Jan.

      • Start of operations at Terminal 2 (International).

  • 2016

    • Apr.

      • Kansai Airports commences its business as an operating company for the Kansai International Airport and Osaka (Itami) International Airport.

    • Jan.

      • Hydrogen Station Opening Ceremony.

  • 2015

    • Dec.

      • ORIX and VINCI Airports sign the Project Agreement for the Kansai International Airport and Osaka (Itami) International Airport Concession Incorporation of Kansai Airports, New Operating Company.
      • Establishment of Kansai Airports.

    • Jun.

      • Start of construction of Passenger Terminal Building(T3).

    • Apr.

      • Terminal 1 renovation grand opening.

    • Mar.

      • Evaluation as an international airport by Skytrax "World Airport Awards 2015" "Best Low-Cost Terminal" "Best Baggage Delivery" Awarded first place in two categories.

    • Feb.

      • Start of verification testing of hydrogen infrastructure.

  • 2014

    • Nov.

      • Start of construction of the main facilities of the new LCC terminal building (such as aprons and gates). Scheduled to be opened for use in 2016.

    • Oct.

      • Start of passenger boarding bridge service that supports the upper deck of the A380.

    • Jul.

      • Announcement of policies for the enactment of operations such as special airport management and business at Kansai International Airport and Osaka International Airport.

    • Apr.

      • Establishment of a FedEX hub for the North Pacific on the 2nd phase airport island.

    • Feb.

      • Start of megasolar power generation.

  • 2013

    • Oct.

      • Acquisition of Osaka International Airport Terminal Co., Ltd.(OAT) stock (acquisition of all stock by December of the same year).

  • 2012

    • Oct.

      • Start of operations at the first truly dedicated LCC terminal (Terminal 2 ) in Japan.

    • Jul.

      • Integration of the management of Kansai International Airport and Osaka International Airport.

    • Apr.

      • Establishment of New Kansai International Airport Co., Ltd.

    • Mar.

      • Passenger terminal building renovations completed.

  • 2011

    • Oct.

      • Start of construction of dedicated LCC terminal begins (scheduled to open in Fall 2012).

    • May.

      • Issue of draft law regarding merger of Kansai International Airport and Osaka International Airport.

  • 2010

    • Mar.

      • Grand opening of KIX Airside Avenue (departure area renovated).

  • 2009

    • Apr.

      • Tolls have been lowered by half price due to selling of Airport Access Bridge.

  • 2008

    • Aug.

      • Renewal of runway A (1st Airport Island) was completed.

    • Apr.

      • Windbreak fence was installed to cover entire Airport Access Bridge.

  • 2007

    • Aug.

      • Opening of runway B.

    • Apr.

      • The airport passed the official inspection for completion.

  • 2006

    • Dec.

      • The construction of the facilities on the second phase airport islands finished.

    • Jun.

      • Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that the airport's second runway would be opened for use as of August 2nd, 2007.

  • 2005

    • Nov.

      • Number of passengers since KIX opening reached 200 million.

    • Oct.

      • Land foundation for the 2nd phase runway was completed, and runway construction started.
      • Storage sheds for international cargoes improved.

  • 2004

    • Dec.

      • Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation and Minister of Finance agreed on the 2nd phase construction work for limited facilities, with services to start from 2004.

  • 2003

    • Oct.

      • KIAC established Action Plan to achieve steady operational improvement.

    • Mar.

      • KIAC formulated operational improvement framework.

  • 2002

    • Dec.

      • Accumulated volume of international cargo handled since KIX opened reached 5 million tons.

  • 2001

    • Nov.

      • Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation and Minister of Finance agreed on new business scheme of the 2nd phase construction work.
      • The 2nd phase airport island seawall was almost completed and the reclamation work began.

    • Apr.

      • KIX was awarded "Monuments of the Millennium" by the American Society of Civil Engineers.

  • 2000

    • Jan.

      • Number of passengers since KIX opening reached 100 million.

  • 1999

    • Jul.

      • The governor of Osaka Prefecture licensed the company to carry out reclamation work in the public waters for the 2nd phase construction, and it commenced.

    • Jun.

      • MOT granted official permission for the modification of airport facilities.

  • 1998

    • Dec.

      • New flight routes were introduced.

    • Apr.

      • The company submitted a preliminary report to the Osaka and Wakayama prefectural governments and Wakayama city municipal government assessing the environmental impact of the 2nd phase construction. Prefecture licensed the company to carry out reclamation work in the public waters for the 2nd phase construction, and it commenced.

  • 1996

    • Jun.

      • Kansai International Airport Land Development Co., Ltd. was founded.

  • 1995

    • Jun.

      • The Aeroplaza, a hotel and shopping center complex, was opened.

  • 1994

    • Sep.

      • Kansai International Airport was opened.

    • Jun.

      • The airport access railways started operation.
      • The Passenger Terminal Building was completed.

    • Mar.

      • The airport passed the official inspection for completion.
      • The airport access bridge was completed.

  • 1993

    • Dec.

      • Construction of main airport facilities (runway, taxiways, and apron) was completed.

  • 1991

    • Dec.

      • Reclamation work on the airport island was completed.

    • May.

      • Construction of the Passenger Terminal Building began.

  • 1989

    • Jun.

      • The airport island seawall was completed.

  • 1988

    • Dec.

      • The airport island seawall was almost completed and the reclamation work began.

  • 1987

    • Jun.

      • Construction of the airport access bridge started.

    • Jan.

      • Construction of the airport island seawall began.
      • The governor of Osaka Prefecture licensed the company to carry out reclamation work in the public waters for construction of the airport. Construction commenced on the airport island seawall.

  • 1986

    • Dec.

      • MOT granted official permission for construction of Kansai International Airport.

    • Apr.

      • The company entered into a compensation agreement with the Federation of Fishermen's Associations in Osaka Prefecture. By November the company had entered into similar agreements with the Hyogo and Wakayama Federations of Fishermen's Associations and with the Izumisano Fishermen's Cooperative Association.

  • 1985

    • Dec.

      • The Cabinet Council approved the general plan for construction of Kansai International Airport facilities.

    • Oct.

      • The company submitted to the Osaka prefectural government a preliminary report assessing the environmental impact of the proposed airport construction. Public announcement and disclosure were made and meetings were held to explain the project to local residents.

  • 1984

    • Oct.

      • Kansai International Airport Co., Ltd. (KIAC) was founded.

  • 1982

    • Jul.

      • Osaka prefectural government gave consent to MOT to implement the plan (followed by the consent of the Wakayama prefectural government in August 1982 and of the Hyogo prefectural government in February 1984).

  • 1981

    • May.

      • MOT presented a set of proposals to the three prefectural governments (Osaka, Hyogo and Wakayama Prefectures): "Airport Plan for Kansai International Airport", "Kansai International Airport Environmental Impact Assessment" and "Regional Development Plan."

  • 1974

    • Aug.

      • The Council for Civil Aviation submitted to MOT a report recommending the Senshu offshore area as the best option in terms of scale and location.

  • 1968

    • Apr.

      • The Ministry of Transport (MOT) began surveying eight proposed airport sites: on the Osaka-Wakayama prefectural border; in the waters off the shores of Sennan, Kishiwada, Nishinomiya, Rokko, Port Island and Akashi; on Awaji Island.