KANSAI AIRPORTS 10th Anniversary

Kansai Airports began operating
Kansai International Airport (KIX) and
Osaka Itami Airport (ITAMI)
in April 2016 and
marked its 10th anniversary in April 2026.
As a milestone on the path toward
the next stage,
we look back on and
share the journey of the past ten years.

10-Year Journey

Since beginning operations in 2016, Kansai Airports Group has continued to take on challenges to innovate the airport experience and create new travel experiences. We invite you to explore our history to date through a collection of photographs.

Kansai Airports logo.
December 1, 2015 Birth of a new airport operating company
Group photo of Kansai Airport staff
April 1, 2016 Launch of Japan's first airport concession-based operation
Photo of the LCC Terminal
January 28, 2017 Expansion of the dedicated LCC Terminal for the LCC era
Photo of the start of integrated management of the three Kansai Airports
April 1, 2018 Integrated management of the three Kansai airports
Photo of the grand opening of Osaka Itami Airport
August 5, 2020 Grand opening at ITAMI
Photo of the grand opening ceremony
March 27, 2025 Grand opening of Terminal 1 at KIX
Photo of the ribbon-cutting ceremony
April 18, 2025 Launch of international charter flights at KOBE
Image of the new Terminal 2
April 1, 2026 Renovation of Terminal 2 at KIX (domestic)
An airplane flying across the sunrise sky
April 1, 2026 10th anniversary of the concession commencement
Dec. 1, 2015
Kansai Airports logo.
Birth of a new airport operating company
Kansai Airports was established on December 1, 2015.
Leveraging private-sector know-how, the company embarked on a new challenge to elevate airport operations in the Kansai region to the new stage.
Apr. 1, 2016
Group photo of Kansai Airport staff
Launch of Japan's first airport concession-based operation
Kansai Airports began operating KIX and ITAMI under private-sector management, marking the start of operations at Kansai’s two core airports serving both domestic and international flights.
Jan. 28, 2017
Photo of the LCC Terminal
Expansion of the dedicated LCC Terminal for the LCC era
KIX's Terminal 2 (International) opened, enhancing the airport's capacity and competitiveness in response to increasingly diverse air travel demand.
Apr. 1, 2018
Photo of the start of integrated management of the three Kansai Airports
Integrated management of the three Kansai airports
Kansai Airports Kobe began operating Kobe Airport (KOBE). This marked the start of integrated management of the three Kansai airports by Kansai Airports Group, enabling airport operations that make the most of each airport’s distinct role and strengths.
Aug. 5, 2020
Photo of the grand opening of Osaka Itami Airport
Grand opening at ITAMI
In its first major renovation in nearly 50 years, the terminal was transformed into a comfortable and refined space, featuring Japan's first smart lanes for domestic flights and a newly introduced walk-through commercial area.
Mar. 27, 2025
Photo of the grand opening ceremony
Grand opening of Terminal 1 at KIX
The grand opening marked the completion of the first large-scale renovation since the airport opened in 1994. With the expansion of security checkpoints and the renewal of the commercial area, the terminal is fully equipped to accommodate growing air travel demand.
Apr. 18, 2025
Photo of the ribbon-cutting ceremony
Launch of international charter flights at KOBE
International charter flights began operations at KOBE, opening up new possibilities for connecting the local region with the world.
Apr. 1, 2026
Image of the new Terminal 2

This is a conceptual rendering.

Renovation of Terminal 2 at KIX (domestic)
The airport provides a faster, smoother, and less stressful travel experience by promoting self-service check-in procedures, expanding the boarding lounge, and introducing a new food court.
Apr. 1, 2026
An airplane flying across the sunrise sky
10th anniversary of the concession commencement
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Kansai Airports Group is embarking on a new phase of challenges and growth for the decade ahead.

Our Challenge

We introduce the journey of challenges the three Kansai airports have taken over the years. Building on this legacy, KAP Group is taking on new initiatives to put innovation in the airport experience into practice. As a leading airport operator in Japan, we will continue, as we always have and will in the years ahead, to challenge ourselves to create new value.

Our initiatives in various areas. Safety initiatives: Build strong airports that can respond appropriately to emergencies and recover quickly. Fast travel initiatives: Promote digitalization to improve efficiency in airport operations. Environmental initiatives: Actively collaborate with local communities to realize a sustainable society.

Our challenges

Our Future

"Fly High" is an owned media platform that focuses on the people who support Kansai Airports Group. By sharing the thoughts of airport staff and highlighting a variety of initiatives, it offers deeper insights into on-the-ground airport operations and the challenges encountered each day.

神戸空港の展望デッキに立つW.Nさん／Mr W.N. standing on the observation deck at Kobe Airport

20th anniversary of Kobe Airport -the airport that grew with its community.

関西国際空港 第1ターミナルビル リノベーションを担当したKさんとNさんの写真／Photo of Mr. K and Ms. N, who were in charge of renovating the Kansai International Airport Terminal 1 Building

Striving to Create a Comfortable and Pleasant Airport. New! Kansai International Airport Terminal 1 Behind the Scenes Leading up to Completion of Renovations

関西国際空港の空港消防隊の一員として働くUさんの写真／Photo of Mr. U, a member of the Kansai International Airport fire brigade

Reaching the Scene of an Aircraft Fire Within Three Minutes of Receiving a Dispatch Order. Striving to be the Safest Airport in the World— The Mission of the Airport Fire Department

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