Phase 2 Opens at Kansai International Airport

A ribbon-cutting ceremony has celebrated the opening of the new international departure area of Kansai International Airport (KIX) as part of the Terminal 1 live renovation.

Members of Populous’ Japan team joined stakeholders of KIX, including Yoshiyuki Yamaya, Representative Director and CEO of Kansai Airports, and Benoit Rulleau, Representative Director and Co-CEO.

Kansai Airports and Populous have been working for over five years to completely re-envisage the international journey of the airport’s floor plan to bring a new level of service to travellers to Japan’s west.

Populous Senior Principal and Director, Brett Wightman, said he is very proud of what the team have achieved together.

“By re-planning and upgrading the live terminal we have been able to open up over 6,650m2 of additional airside retail plus 1,130m2 of new F&B all whilst working within the existing building envelope.

“The airport is now known as Japan’s largest airport walk-through duty-free store and new central plaza,” Wightman said.

Part of the international departure opening was the new immigration area, which is now centralised from the previous north and south areas and 27 retail shops.

VINCI Airports has reported they are proud to showcase the first Louis Vuitton boutique in their network and the first Dior Café in the world, also Hermès, Chanel, Gucci and other top luxury brands are now located at KIX.

The Populous team and Kansai Airports Group now move onto Phase 3 which involves the consolidation and extension of the security screening area. All to be complete before World Expo 2025 in Osaka.