Kansai International Airport completes Terminal 1 transformation with new retail and duty free offering


Kansai International Airport has completed its Terminal 1 transformation, unveiling a new international retail zone featuring 24 outlets and Japan’s largest walk-through duty free store to enhance the passenger journey.

Summary:

  • Kansai International Airport has completed the renovation and modernisation of Terminal 1 with the opening of a new international retail zone.
  • The expanded departures area features 24 new retail outlets, including Japan’s largest walk-through duty free store, enhancing the passenger experience and commercial offering.
  • The project has increased the international departures area by 60%, boosting operational capacity and supporting the airport’s long-term growth ambitions.

VINCI Airports – a Corporate Partner of the FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub – has announced that Kansai International airport (KIX) has reached a new milestone in its development with the inauguration of the completed international trade zone. This completion marks the conclusion of the extensive renovation and modernisation project for Terminal 1.

The new retail area is located within an extension of the international departures area, which opened in December 2023. It comprises a total of 24 new retail outlets, including luxury brands, specialty shops offering popular regional products, and a variety of restaurants. It also features Japan’s largest walk-through duty free shop, providing passengers with an exceptional pre-departure shopping experience. With the opening of this area, the renovation of Terminal 1 at Kansai International airport is now fully completed. The expansion of the international departures area increased the original surface area by 60%, strengthening the airport’s operational capacity and attractiveness.

“As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the concession for Kansai International airport, we are particularly proud of the progress made,” said Nicolas Notebaert, CEO of VINCI Concessions and Chairman of VINCI Airports. “Together with our partner, Orix, we have transformed this platform into a modern, attractive, and environmentally responsible international hub. VINCI Airports reaffirms its commitment to quality of service, operational performance, and the ecological transition. We will continue in this direction to connect the Kansai region to the world ever more effectively.”

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