Kansai Airports has declared the imminent re-opening of its renovated North and South Terminals at Osaka International Airport (Itami) as an important milestone.

The re-opening of the two terminals at the domestic airport on 5 August 2020, marks the conclusion of the airport’s first renovation in around 50 years. Initially scheduled for July 2020, the grand opening was delayed by around a month due to the impact of the coronavirus (Covid-19).

A single terminal building, the facility is actually divided into two terminals (North and South). The north terminal serves Japan Airlines and Amasuka Airlines and the South terminal handles ANA All Nippon Airways and Ibex Airlines flights.

Arrival gates on the north and south sides of Level 1 have been consolidated into the central area on Level 2. This will increase customer convenience and prevent meeters and greeters from losing their way.

Following the commencement of the renovation in February 2016, the central and rooftop areas opened in April 2018.

FIRST JAPANESE DOMESTIC AIRPORT WALKTHROUGH

These will be complemented by new departure areas featuring a walkthrough space in the Retail Zone (post security).

TRBusiness can confirm the walkthrough will be the first in a Japanese domestic airport or terminal. Kansai Airports, which also runs Kansai International (KIX) and Kobe Airports, has already implemented a walkthrough duty free store at KIX back in 2017.

As reported, 36 shops and restaurants will open across both terminals at Itami (17 food and beverage outlets, 18 retail stores and one service outlet). Outlets include souvenir and food and beverage concepts and ‘top Kansai brands’ to accommodate passenger needs (see the below store list).

In the south terminal, 17 shops will open airside and one landside, while over in the north terminal, 14 stores will open airside and four landside.

As preparations continue for next week’s unveiling, Stephane Geffroy, Executive Officer and Chief Commercial Officer, Non Aeronautical, Kansai Airports told TRBusiness: “The landside renovation at Itami was a great success, bringing new offerings and concepts to travellers and neighbouring communities. The airside renovation is a continuation of this project.”

The airside and landside renovations resemble a unique Itami experience, emphasised Geffroy. “This uniqueness is a blend of our ‘premium Kansai’ and ‘shaping a new journey’ concepts and overall merchandising balance.

“The upcoming grand opening is another step towards executing on a more global vision.”

Throughout the renovation, the airport has become easier to use for passengers and those living in the vicinity. “It is a fun and exciting place for local communities. As a major domestic airport, we aim to create an innovative, comfortable and enjoyable journey.”

With the airport limited to less than 370 daily flights, there will be no major traffic increase in the future. The increased commercial offer, however, will raise average spend per passenger, Geffroy acknowledged.

Offering Kansai-inspired products and a strong sense of place are key parts of the commercial strategy. “Osaka International Airport is located in the urban area of Osaka, serving many cities in Japan, so the sense of place [element] relates very much to Kansai.

“The Kansai Airports team have been sourcing leading Kansai-borne retail and food and beverage concepts, some of which have never appeared in airports before.

“This creates a Kansai experience, encompassing Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, Sakai and other cities in one single location. The result is a feeling of uniqueness in the offering, different from other Japanese airports.”

COVID-19 IMPACT

Assessing the impact of Covid-19, Kansai Airports, which has provided relief measures for tenants, said it was difficult to make reliable forecasts.

The airport operator also indicated the pandemic will change way people shop and interact. “In Japan, the domestic market is bound to be the first to recover. Kansai Airports is taking the necessary measures to help this recovery and prevent the spread of the disease.

“Each airport retailer will have their own set of [protective — Ed] actions, while we work on implementing larger spaces between seats and promoting take-away orders [at food and beverage outlets — Ed].

“Additionally, we are working on other initiatives to manage queuing.”

Looking ahead, Geffroy is confident travellers will want to buy and eat at airports. “They will just want to do so in a safe environment,” he commented.

On the topic of digital, this has long been at the forefront of Kansai Airports’ commercial plans. Geffroy said: “Digital is key to the future of commercial activities. Even before Covid-19, Kansai Airport Retail & Services (KRS) was actively developing an online pre-order concept.

“In the near future, we aim to develop this approach beyond duty free. As mentioned, queue management, take-away and customer information are areas where digital will play a growing role.”

Aside the Itami renovation project, Kansai Airports is hoping to complete the revamp of KIX Terminal 1 by 2025, in time for the Osaka Kansai Expo.

The renovation project, which was announced in December 2019, will be the first major revamp since the airport opened in 1994.