News
September 4, 2024
Redefining Space and Time: Kansai International Airport’s Approach to Boosting Capacity and Enhancing Passenger Experience.
Populous’ work to renovate Kansai International Airport (KIX) is part of a new wave of passenger terminal design solutions to the aviation industry. Leveraging our global expertise in sport and entertainment venue design, we are enhancing the aviation passenger terminal experience.
Situated in Japan’s second-largest metropolitan area, KIX serves as a crucial gateway to Osaka, Kyoto and Nara in western Japan. After 30 years of operation and managing 30 million passengers annually, Populous has led the design to overhaul the entire passenger experience, which included addressing increasing demand and enhancing operational efficiency.
With the Stage 3 renovation opening in early September, the project illustrates how the aviation experience is evolving.
A new and exciting passenger journey awaits travellers at Kansai Airport. Populous’ in-depth knowledge of the user experience and commitment to bringing people together in new and innovative ways can be seen throughout the terminal. Years of knowledge developed through designing places where people love to be together, such as Yankee Stadium, Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium and Sphere, have now been brought into the airport to help re-invent the passenger experience.
Populous, renowned for its expertise in designing spaces that draw people together, has skillfully extended these design principles to the aviation sector, where it has significantly enhanced both mass movement and operational efficiency. Drawing on extensive experience with large-scale venues such as stadiums and arenas, Populous has optimized airport operations by improving crowd management, ensuring smooth transitions through check-in, security, and boarding. These optimizations have led to more sustainable and profitable operations and increased commercial opportunities in high-traffic areas.
The overall approach modernizes the airport and creatively repurposes current infrastructure, reflecting Populous’ commitment to advancing airport design and functionality.
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Figure 1: Populous's expertise in sports and entertainment has introduced a fresh approach to retail and the passenger experience. Photograph by: Hotaka Matsumura -
Figure 2: Passengers seated at the renovated terminal at Kansai International Airport. Photograph by: Hotaka Matsumura
To secure the long-term future of Kansai Airport, it was vital that we maximized the potential of the existing Terminal 1. Populous have helped us grow our international passenger traffic and improve the commercial offerings. We have already noticed a significant increase in both the passenger spend per pax and our ability to ensure a more seamless passenger processing.
The new design increases international capacity by 25%, expanding from 19.4 million to 30 million passengers annually. Departure lounges and retail spaces have been enlarged by 60%, featuring innovative retail layouts designed to enhance passenger experiences and moods. The interior, refreshed with natural materials and a distinctly Japanese aesthetic, aims to transform the arrival experience. Stage 3 of the renovation focuses on improving passenger screening to boost efficiency and reduce wait times, further enhancing the airport’s functionality and passenger satisfaction.
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Figure 3: New terminal pathways designed to boost international capacity. Photograph by: Hotaka Matsumura
Populous have helped Kansai International Airport Terminal 1 elevate the passenger experience through larger and faster processing areas and a commercial and F&B experience which is authentically local. We have brought in a unique sense of place through both the design aesthetic and the offerings which highlight the best of our region.
Over the course of a six-year, multi-phased construction plan, the Populous team has effectively navigated the challenges of a terminal-wide renovation project while minimizing disruptions to airport operations.The process has been crucial in addressing the evolving needs of the terminal and the airport overall.
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