Kansai International Airport Celebrates 30 Years of Soaring Success
Kansai International Airport, once dubbed "Osaka's burden," has soared to new heights, celebrating its 30th anniversary on September 4th. The airport, initially plagued by low demand, has witnessed remarkable growth, fueled by the rise of budget airlines and a surge in inbound tourism. Operating 24 hours a day, Osaka's gateway airport is now poised for further expansion.
The airport's international terminal buzzed with the vibrant sounds of a local drum group as Japan Airlines Co. (JAL) also commemorated the 30th anniversary of its Kansai-Los Angeles route, one of the first established upon the airport's opening. "It feels like yesterday when Kansai Airport connected us to the world," said Kumiko Miyasaka, head of JAL's West Japan Branch, who worked as a flight attendant on the route 30 years ago.
Opened in 1994 in Osaka Bay, Kansai Airport became the world's first large-scale offshore airport. However, it initially struggled with low passenger traffic and accumulated significant debt. The turning point came with the emergence of budget airlines. With its proximity to other Asian countries and 24-hour operations, the airport became an attractive hub for low-cost carriers.
Peach Aviation Ltd., Japan's first budget carrier, began service at Kansai Airport in 2012, followed by Spring Airlines Co. and other carriers. Currently, low-cost carriers account for more than 40 percent of international passenger flights at the airport. Rebounding from a significant decline during the COVID-19 pandemic, inbound passenger traffic reached a record high of 1.67 million in July.
"We aim to expand our network by focusing on the growing Asian market," said Yoshiyuki Yamaya, president of Kansai Airports, the company that operates the airport. The airport's first terminal is undergoing major renovations and is scheduled to open in spring next year, just before the start of Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025.