Kansai International Airport, located in Osaka Bay, marked its 30th anniversary with a sense of accomplishment after overcoming a challenging start. Originally dubbed as a burden to Osaka due to slow demand and high debt, the airport has experienced a turnaround with the emergence of budget airlines and the influx of tourists flocking to Japan.
The airport, which was the world's first large-scale offshore airport when it opened in 1994, has now become a bustling hub for low-cost carriers, thanks to its strategic location close to other Asian countries and its round-the-clock operations. The growth in budget airlines, such as Peach Aviation Ltd. and Spring Airlines Co., has contributed to more than 40 percent of international passenger flights now being handled by Kansai Airport.
Despite facing a significant decline during the COVID-19 pandemic, the airport has rebounded with inbound passenger traffic hitting a record high in July. Looking ahead, Kansai Airport aims to expand its network further, especially focusing on the growing Asian market. In preparation for Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025, the airport is undertaking major renovations on its first terminal, scheduled to open in spring next year to accommodate the anticipated increase in visitors.