VINCI Airports celebrates Kansai International Airport’s 30th anniversary, marking growth and sustainability achievements ahead of Expo 2025

Credit: VINCI Airports

VINCI Airports celebrated Kansai International Airport’s (KIX) 30th anniversary alongside key figures, including Yasushi Furukawa, State Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism, Nicolas Notebaert, CEO of Concessions at VINCI and President of VINCI Airports, and Makoto Inoue, CEO of ORIX. Since 2016, VINCI Airports, in partnership with ORIX, has been instrumental in enhancing KIX’s attractiveness, connectivity, passenger experience, and environmental transition.

Details on VINCI Airports’ celebrations ahead of Expo 2025 

KIX has evolved into a vital international gateway to Japan, connecting Osaka and the Kansai region to the world. In 2024, the airport served over 30.6 million passengers and is expected to see around 28 million visitors during the Expo 2025 Osaka. VINCI Airports has supported this growth by improving airport operations, including a major renovation of Terminal 1, which now accommodates 40 million passengers annually.

VINCI Airports has prioritised elevating the passenger experience at KIX. Innovations include the largest walkthrough duty-free in Japan, new retail areas, and one of the world’s largest business and premium lounges, with a capacity of over 1,000 passengers. The airport also introduced advanced technologies, such as a ‘self-bag drop’ system, AI-based security screening, eGates for fast immigration control, and call-to-gate technology, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing wait times.

Sustainability remains a core focus, with VINCI Airports working towards net-zero emissions by 2050. KIX has achieved Level 4 of the Airport Carbon Accreditation certification and boasts Japan’s largest solar power generation capacity among airports. Additionally, KIX is preparing for the future of aviation with a partnership to produce sustainable aviation fuels in Japan and collaborate with Airbus on hydrogen-powered aircraft.

Nicolas Notebaert, CEO of VINCI Airports, stated: “What a great journey for VINCI Airports and Kansai Airports we celebrated at KIX, at the service of the Kansai region’s attractivity and of its inhabitants’ connectivity to the world. With our partners, we have demonstrated how we can leverage our expertise to optimise and modernise the airport while accelerating its environmental transition, and we will continue to do so. We look forward to welcoming the world in Kansai for the Osaka Expo 2025!”

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