Kansai International Airport in Japan

Ken Duenwald2 December 2008

Executive Summary

Kansai International Airport is one of Japan’s largest and most important airports. Built in 1994 and expanded in 2007, Kansai International Airport is a major hub for Japanese airlines and a major gateway for airlines traveling to Japan and Asia from around the world. Despite weather and seismic challenges, Kansai International Airport still stands strong due to excellent engineering practices employed during its construction and operations. The airport has enjoyed generous success throughout its years of operation and hopes to use its success as a springboard for future expansion.

Kansai International Airport is a strong alternative airport to Tokyo’s Narita Airport in Japan. The airport’s unique location on a landfill in Osaka Bay allows for features convenient to airlines. These features include 24/7 operations, few noise restrictions, self-sustainability, and easier landings for pilots The airport’s outstanding operations, accessibility, safety, and aesthetically pleasing appearance allows it to serve as a strong alternative for passengers as well. The features of Kansai have allowed many passengers to view the airport as not only an easier means of traveling to Japan, but also as a destination in itself.

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Table of Contents

Executive Summary............................................................................................1

Introduction.........................................................................................................3

Discussion...........................................................................................................3

Design and Initial Construction.........................................................................3

Post-construction measures..............................................................................4

Airport Specifications.........................................................................................5

Airport Operations..............................................................................................5

Future Plans and Expansion..............................................................................7

Kansai Airport vs. Narita Airport........................................................................7

Conclusion...........................................................................................................8

Recommendations..............................................................................................8

Bibliography........................................................................................................9

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Introduction

Kansai International Airport is a major airport located roughly 38 km from the city of Osaka and serves as one of Japan’s and Asia’s major gateways for air travel. The airport is completely situated on an artificial island in Osaka Bay and was designed to accommodate several challenges including weather, earthquakes, and potential ocean floor sinking. Despite the challenges faced, Kansai International Airport has grown to become one of Japan’s most important airports and one of the world’s gateways to Asia. The airport’s unique features and technological advancements have increased its popularity for both passengers and airlines. But despite the many innovations employed at the current airport, airport officials plan on adding even more features to Kansai Airport in the future.

Discussion

In the following paragraphs, I will begin by discussing the airport’s initial design, construction, and post-construction measures. Then I will introduce the airport’s specifications regarding size and activity. I will also discuss the airport’s current operations and some its unique features. Finally, I will compare the features of Kansai and its main competitor Narita before discussing plans for Kansai International Airport’s future and expansion.

Design and Initial Construction

Osaka’s rapid population and commercial growth demanded an airport larger than the current Osaka International Airport. Osaka’s dense population created severely limited space for expansion or a new airport. Thus, airport planners decided to build an airport on an artificial island 5 kilometers offshore in Osaka Bay. The airport’s construction project began in 1987.

The airport’s construction began with the landfill. Engineers placed a landfill over a bed of clay located 18 meters below sea level. Since the clay had the potential to sink, engineers drained water out of the clay to allow the clay to settle. A concrete wall was then placed along the airport’s planned perimeter to prevent excess water from entering. Upon the wall’s completion, 80 barges placed 180 million cubic meters of landfill within the concrete wall.

The airport’s facility construction began on the landfill’s surface. The terminal was required to be light enough to prevent excess sinking, yet strong enough to withstand Osaka’s typhoons and earthquakes. The mile long terminal as displayed in Figure 1 in a photo taken by Yoshio Hata was designed as a single

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Figure 1. Kansai Airport Terminal. The curved terminal was built out of steel and reinforced glass.

building. The terminal was composed of steel and reinforced glass and supported by 900 columns. The reinforced glass was also supported by joints, allowing for flexibility and additional strength during natural disasters. The airport terminal proved to be structurally sound as it survived the 7.2 magnitude Kobe earthquake in 1995, as well as subsequent typhoons. The terminal also has a curved roof design to allow for better air circulation.

A double-decker truss bridge supported by several piers was built for access between the airport and Japan’s mainland. The bridge contains six lanes of automotive traffic on the upper deck and two rail lines on the lower deck. Standard airport facilities were added and the airport opened in 1994. Figure 2, taken from the HENRO Guide website, illustrates the completed airport before its expansion.

Post-construction measures

In 1999, deeper soil that wasn’t drained caused Kansai Airport to sink 8 meters deep. Engineers are able to remedy this by monitoring each of the airport terminal columns using computer sensors. When a sensor alerts that a column is starting to sink, engineers lift the column using jacks and place metal plates underneath until the column is level again. This action is comparable to placing a flat item under a table leg to prevent it from wobbling. Plates were added or removed to columns as necessary to keep the building level. To keep the terminal building looking even, the following measures were also taken:

Installing special walls that moved with the terminal as it was leveled Adding steps to staircases upon column adjustment Attaching air conditioning and utilities to ceilings instead of floors.

As the soil below the airport settles, sinking is predicted to slow down significantly and eventually stop altogether.

The airport’s single runway proved to be insufficient in handling the growing number of flights. Thus officials proposed a second runway and terminal. The airport expansion’s construction began in 2003. Using similar procedures employed during the airport’s initial construction, engineers placed a

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Figure 2. The initial Kansai International Airport. The initial airport was completed in 1994.

Figure 3. Kansai International Airport expanded. The second runway adjacent to the airport was completed in 2007.

second landfill adjacent to the existing airport at a higher level to allow for the clay on the ocean floor to settle. The runway was completed in 2007, but the additional terminal was postponed due to cost limitations. Figure 3 shows an image of the airport with its second runway, taken from an article by Mark Fischetti on the mental_floss website.

Airport Specifications

Table 1 illustrates several of Kansai International Airport’s dimensions. Some dimensions also include the 2007 airport expansion.

Table 1. Kansai Airport Dimensions. The size of Kansai Airport is larger than downtown Osaka, the city which the airport mainly serves.Trait Specific dimensionLand Area 10.5 million square metersLandfill Volume 450 million cubic metersTerminal Area 296,043 square metersTerminal Height 30 metersFirst Runway Length 3,500 metersSecond Runway Length 4,000 metersAccess Bridge Length 3,750 metersAccess Bridge Length 25 meters

Table 2 illustrates activity that occurred at Kansai International Airport in 2007. The values include both domestic and international flights.

Table 2. Kansai Airport Activity in 2007. Kansai Airport is a crucial airline hub for Japan, Asia, and the world due to its performance.Activity Total value in 2007Flights 128,943 flightsPassengers Handled 16,694,921 peopleFreight Handled 846,522 tons

Airport Operations

Kansai International Airport’s location in Osaka Bay allows it to operate flights 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with minimal noise restrictions. All airlines currently utilize the single four story terminal building. Landing an aircraft at Kansai is also easier due to the airport’s location away from potential obstacles. Over 40 international passenger airlines and 15 cargo airlines fly into Kansai Airport and take off to cities around the world. Kansai Airport is also a global hub for several Japanese airlines and its status as a hub allows for easy connecting flights to other parts of Japan, Asia, and around the globe.

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Due to Kansai Airport’s offshore location, several ground transportation measures are implemented to accommodate both passengers and airport workers comfortably. The Nankai Electric Railway provides high speed service to downtown Osaka for passengers and the West Japan Railway provides multi-stop service ideal for commuters. Kaijo Access Co. provides a high speed ferry service between the airport and the city of Kobe. The airport is also served by a variety of limousine buses and taxicabs, both which utilize the access bridge. In addition, ground transportation is monitored by cameras which allows for traffic incidents to be located and remedied quickly. Transportation within the terminal is provided by the Wing Shuttle people mover.

Security is a major priority at Kansai International Airport. The Japanese Coast Guard constantly monitors the vast amount of water that surrounds Kansai International Airport and responds immediately to other boats that may appear suspicious. Security cameras are also implemented to monitor the airport’s land area. Furthermore, an invisible ultraviolet light surrounds the runway and reports any unfamiliar disturbance to authorities.

The air traffic control tower is built with safety and clear communication in mind. The tower’s height and 360 degree view allows for clear views of aircraft and also allows for any potential incidents to be spotted and solved immediately. The control tower is also connected with a weather center and receives information on any hazardous weather conditions. The tower can use any weather information to direct planes safely around hazardous conditions. Figure 4 shows an image of Kansai Airport’s Control Tower taken by Hideyuki Kamon.

Kansai International Airport’s location has made it self-sufficient in terms of supplying power for the airport and the aircraft that enter. The airport’s electrical power is supplied by its own power plant. The airport also has several nearby piers where boats are able to deliver jet fuel. Jet fuel then travels from these piers

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Figure 4. Kansai Airport Control Tower. The control tower’s height and access to weather information allows for strong communication with aircraft.

through pipes towards the airport’s fuel storage facility. The pipes were also designed to withstand potential airport sinking and natural disasters.

Kansai International Airport also has its own “clean center.” The clean center is dedicated to reducing waste arriving from incoming flights. Recyclables are sorted and trash is compacted and incinerated to minimize environment impact.

Future Plans and Expansion

The airport has several plans for future expansion. Kansai Airport hopes to add a third runway at 3,500 meters long, most likely in between the two existing runways. The airport is also planning on adding a second terminal, an idea that was planned with the earlier expansion but postponed due to costs. Kansai Airport is also planning to accommodate its increasing cargo capacity with a cargo terminal. Finally, the airport plans on adding additional tarmac. Many of Kansai’s expansion plans are still in their planning stages and dates of construction will be determined in the future.

Kansai Airport vs. Narita Airport

As one of Japan’s international gateways, Kansai Airport is a strong alternative airport to its main competitor, Narita International Airport in Tokyo. Table 3 outlines a portion of key features from both airports:

Table 3. Features of Kansai and Narita Airports. Many of Kansai’s unique features are due to its location in Osaka Bay.Feature Kansai Specifications Narita SpecificationsRunway Lengths 3,500 m and 4,000 m 2,500 m and 4,000 mExpansion Potential Very high due to airport’s

location in Osaka BayMedium to low due to occupied surrounding land

Approximate landing fee for a Boeing 747 in 2004

830,000 yen 950,000 yen

Ability to operate 24/7 Yes NoNoise Mitigation costs 0 yen 350 million yenApproximate distance from city centers

38 km 57.5 km

Kansai International Airport’s location in Osaka Bay allows for unique features which include the ability to operate flights 24 hours a day, a much larger expansion potential for the future, as well as a much easier landing for pilots due to the longer runways and lack of land obstacles. Kansai’s lower landing fees,

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strong security measures, and relatively small noise restrictions are also added incentives to consider Kansai Airport as an alternative to Narita.

Kansai’s simple terminal layout, easy access, closer proximity to urban areas, aesthetically pleasing appearance, and wide range of passenger services makes it a strong alternative airport not only for airlines, but for passengers as well. The features of Kansai airport allow for a more pleasant travel experience along with less stress for passengers, which in turn will entice the traveling public to prefer flying into Kansai over Narita.

Conclusion

Kansai Airport’s unique design and construction have posed several challenges. But engineers and airport officials have seen through those challenges and turned a simple man-made island in Osaka into an international gateway for Japan. The aesthetically pleasing and structurally sound terminal design have contributed to the Kansai Airport’s success. In addition, the airport’s unique features have made it a strong alternative airport as Japan’s gateway in addition to setting the tone for the future of air travel. There is no question that Kansai Airport has much to look forward to in the future. Nevertheless, airport officials and engineers are also consistently keeping a close eye on key improvements and possible new innovations for the future.

Recommendations

With Kansai International Airport looking towards the future, there are numerous recommendations that should be considered. My recommendations include ideas for expansion and cost control.

The existing terminal should be expanded to allow for newer and larger aircraft, including the Airbus A380 double-decker aircraft. If Kansai airport allows space for the A380 to park at the terminal, airlines that possess the A380 will consider Kansai airport for further international travel, strengthening the airport’s status as an Asian gateway and bringing in more revenue.

Costs should be considered when constructing a new terminal and runway. Airport officials should consider which option will bring more revenue in quicker and start constructing that option initially. By constructing a new terminal initially, more revenue generating airlines and flights will be attracted to Kansai. Once more airlines have flown into Kansai airport, the third runway can then be constructed to allow for even more landing slots and increasing the amount of potential flights further.

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Bibliography

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2. Fischetti, Mark. “Kansai Airport with second runway.” Photo. mental_floss. 9 April 2008. 28 November 2008. <http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/14030>

3. Hata, Yoshio. “Kansai International Airport Passenger Terminal Building.” Photo. Architectural Institute of Japan. 28 November 2008. <http://www.aij.or.jp/eng/prizes/design/CONT2.HTM>

4. Kamon, Hideyuki. “Air Traffic Control Tower @ KIX RJBB.” Photo. Wikimedia Commons. 25 March 2007. 28 November 2008.<http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Air_Traffic_Control_Tower_@_KIX_RJBB_(460269057).jpg>

5. “Kansai Airport.” Photo. HENRO Guide. 28 November 2008.<http://henro.free.fr/commencer_eng.html>

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7. “Kansai International Airport (KIX/RJBB) Osaka, Japan.” airport-technology.com. 28 November 2008. <http://www.airport-technology.com/projects/kansai/>

8. “Kansai International Airport.” Airport Noise Regulations . 2008. The Boeing Company. 28 November 2008.<http://www.boeing.com/commercial/noise/kansai.html>

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9. “Kansai International Airport.” Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport . 2005. 28 November 2008.<http://www.mlit.go.jp/koku/english/02_international/kansai.html>

10. “Narita International Airport.” Airport Noise Regulations . 2008. The Boeing Company. 28 November 2008.<http://www.boeing.com/commercial/noise/narita.html>

11. “Narita International Airport.” Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport . 2005. 28 November 2008.<http://www.mlit.go.jp/koku/english/02_international/narita.html>

12. National Geographic. “MegaStructures: Kansai International Airport.” Online Video. Yahoo! Geocities. 28 November 2008. <www.geocities.com/apapele>

13. “Overview of fiscal year 2006 and performance on a fiscal year basis.” Kansai International Airport Co. Ltd. 2007. 28 November 2008.<http://www.kiac.co.jp/en/data/index.html>

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