Kansai International Airport (KIX) has experienced huge growth in passenger traffic over the past decade, serving more than 30.6 million passengers in 2024. Operator Vinci Airports has fostered strong partnerships with airlines and has deployed innovative solutions to optimise airport operations. The operator has undertaken a major renovation of Terminal 1, increasing its annual capacity to 40 million passengers.
In addition to accommodating traffic growth, Vinci Airports has invested in improving the passenger experience at KIX.
It has introduced new retail areas, the largest walkthrough duty free in Japan, spaces designed to reflect various passenger profiles, and one of the biggest business and premium lounges in the world (with a capacity of more than 1,000 passengers, including families}.
Vinci Airports has also installed new check-in areas with a self-bag-drop system shared between airlines, ten latest-generation security screening inspection lanes featuring AI technology, eGates at border control, and new call-to-gate technology.
The new border control eGates
According to Vinci, these innovations increase capacity and reduce waiting times, with 95% of passengers passing through security controls in under five minutes.
Vinci Airports has implemented its environmental strategy at KIX, aiming for net-zero emissions across its network by 2050 (scope 1&2) while acting also on its scope 3. KIX has reached the level 4 of the Airport Carbon Accreditation certification and has the largest solar power generation capacity among airports in Japan.
Nicolas Notebaert, CEO of concessions at Vinci and president of Vinci Airports, said: “With our partners, we have demonstrated how we can leverage our expertise to optimise and modernise the airport while accelerating its environmental transition, and we will continue to do so. We look forward to welcoming the world to Kansai for Osaka Expo 2025!”
The inauguration took place as KIX celebrated its first 30 years
