Kansai International Airport: Kix Code, Osaka Bay Gateway

Kansai International Airport, commonly known as Kanku, is the airport with the code KIX. It is located on an artificial island in Osaka Bay, Japan, and is the closest international airport to the cities of Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe. The airport first opened in 1994, and has two terminals, with the main terminal being the longest airport terminal in the world.

Kansai International Airport is located on an artificial island in Osaka Bay

Kansai International Airport, also known as Osaka Kansai International Airport, is located on an artificial island in Osaka Bay, Japan. The airport is about 40 kilometres south of central Osaka and is the closest international airport to the cities of Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe. It is the primary international airport in the Greater Osaka Area, serving as a hub for several airlines, including All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, and Nippon Cargo Airlines.

The construction of Kansai International Airport began in 1987 and took seven years to complete. The airport was built on an artificial island, known as Kankūjima, in the middle of Osaka Bay. This location provided the advantage of 24-hour operation, which was not possible at the previous airport site near Kobe. The island was constructed using innovative engineering techniques, including the drainage of millions of litres of water from the soft clay seabed and the installation of sand drains to solidify the clay. A seawall was built, and the island was reinforced with a layer of earth and sand.

The airport's first island covers approximately 510 hectares (1,260 acres), while the second island covers approximately 545 hectares (1,347 acres), for a total area of 1,055 hectares (2,607 acres). Kansai International Airport features two terminals, with Terminal 1 being the longest airport terminal in the world as of 2018. The airport is connected to the mainland by the Sky Gate Bridge R, a combined road and railroad bridge, as well as a high-speed ferry service.

Kansai International Airport opened in 1994, at a cost of around $20 billion. It was designed to relieve overcrowding at Osaka International Airport (Itami Airport) and is now the third-busiest airport in Japan. The airport has received attention for its sinking rate, with experts expressing concerns about its long-term stability. Despite this challenge, the airport has successfully weathered natural disasters, including the Great Hanshin earthquake in 1995 and a powerful typhoon in 1998.

The airport is connected to the mainland by the Sky Gate Bridge R

Kansai International Airport (KIX) is located on a man-made island in Osaka Bay, about 40 kilometres south of central Osaka, Japan. The airport is connected to the mainland by the Sky Gate Bridge R, a combined road and railroad bridge.

The Sky Gate Bridge R is the only link between Kansai International Airport and the mainland. It is the longest double-decked truss bridge in the world, measuring 3.75 kilometres long, 29.5 metres wide, and 25 metres at its highest point. The bridge carries six lanes of automobile traffic on the top deck and two rail lines on the bottom deck.

The bridge was completed in March 1994, just a few months before the airport opened on 4 September 1994. On 4 September 2018, Typhoon Jebi damaged half of the automobile lanes and the rail lines, stranding approximately 3000 passengers and 2000 staff at the airport. Repairs to the bridge were completed on 8 April 2019, fully restoring traffic to and from the mainland.

Kansai International Airport is one of Japan's most important international airports, serving the western area of Japan, including the cities of Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, and Wakayama. The airport is accessible by train, bus, taxi, and ferry.

KIX is the primary international airport in the Greater Osaka Area

Kansai International Airport, commonly known as Kankū, is the primary international airport in the Greater Osaka Area of Japan. Its airport codes are KIX (IATA) and RJBB (ICAO). The airport is located on an artificial island in Osaka Bay, approximately 40 kilometres south of central Osaka. It is the closest international airport to the cities of Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe.

Kansai International Airport first opened on 4 September 1994, taking over international flights and some domestic flights from Osaka's Itami Airport. The airport has two terminals, with Terminal 1 being the main terminal for domestic and international flights. Terminal 2, added in 2012, serves low-cost airlines and has fewer transport connections. The airport can be accessed by train, bus, taxi, or ferry, with various transport options available to nearby cities.

The main KIX passenger terminal, Terminal 1, is a single four-storey building designed by the Renzo Piano Building Workshop. It is the longest airport terminal in the world, spanning a length of 1.7 kilometres. Terminal 1 features a sophisticated people mover system called the Wing Shuttle, which efficiently transports passengers from one end of the pier to the other. The terminal's roof is uniquely shaped like an airfoil.

Kansai International Airport offers a range of amenities and services for travellers, including free Wi-Fi, currency exchange offices, and a Tourist Information Centre with multilingual staff. The airport also has a variety of dining options, including Western, Japanese, and Chinese cuisine. Nearby accommodation options are available, such as the Hotel Washington Kansai Airport, which is a 9-minute walk from the Rinku Premium Outlets.

KIX airport plays a crucial role in serving the western area of Japan, catering to popular destinations such as the city of Kyoto, Osaka, and the surrounding prefectures of Nara and Wakayama. The airport provides convenient access to these areas, with frequent train and bus services connecting travellers to their desired locations.

The airport has two terminals, with the main terminal being the longest in the world

Kansai International Airport (KIX) is the primary international airport in the Greater Osaka area of Japan. It is located on an artificial island in Osaka Bay, 38 kilometres southwest of Ōsaka Station. The airport is within three municipalities, including Izumisano (north), Sennan (south), and Tajiri (central), in Osaka Prefecture.

Kansai International Airport has two terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Terminal 1 is the main terminal and is housed in a long, modern building. It was designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano and is the longest airport terminal in the world, with a length of 1.7 kilometres. The terminal has four storeys and a gross floor space of 296,043 square metres. It serves both domestic and international flights by regular airlines and has excellent shopping and dining options. Most of the shops are located on the 3F shopping/dining level, and most of the restaurants are located on the 2F (domestic departures) and 3F (shopping and dining floor). Terminal 1 also has a sophisticated people mover system called the Wing Shuttle, which moves passengers from one end of the pier to the other.

Terminal 2, on the other hand, is a more remote and spartan single-story building that was added in 2012 to serve low-cost airlines (LCCs). It has a simplified design to minimise operating costs and has fewer bus connections and no train service. Terminal 2 is not directly connected to Terminal 1 or Kansai Airport Station, but free shuttle buses run between the two terminals and the railway and ferry stations. It is also possible to walk between the terminals through the KIX Sora Park, a four-hectare park located adjacent to Terminal 2.

There are various transport options to get to the airport, including train, bus, and taxi

Kansai International Airport (KIX) is located on a man-made island in Osaka Bay, approximately 40 kilometres south of Osaka, Japan. It is well-connected to nearby cities, with several transport options available to travellers.

Train

The airport is accessible by train via the Kansai Airport Line and Nankai Airport Line. The Kansai Airport Rapid train is a cheaper alternative to the Haruka Express, with tickets costing 1000 yen to Tennoji Station and 1200 yen to Osaka Station. The Nankai trains connect the airport with Namba Station, with tickets priced at 1340 yen. The JR Pass is accepted on the Kansai Airport Rapid and Haruka Express trains but not on Nankai trains.

Bus

Limousine bus services run frequently between the airport and various destinations in Osaka, including Osaka Station, Namba Station, Shin-Osaka Station, and Universal Studios. The last normal bus leaves at around 11:00 PM, but night buses continue to run hourly. Free shuttle buses are also available for passengers travelling between the airport's two terminals and between Terminal 2 and the railway and ferry stations.

Taxi

Taxis are readily available at the airport, providing a convenient option for travellers. Standard taxi fares apply, and the fare may increase due to factors such as traffic or toll roads. It is important to note that taxis are not allowed at the pier where the high-speed ferry departs and arrives; passengers using the ferry must take the shuttle bus instead.

Frequently asked questions