Kansai Airport plans enhanced commercial space in T1 renovation

Kansai Airports has unveiled plans for the redesign of Kansai International Airport’s Terminal 1, including an enhanced commercial area featured in an expanded departures central area.

The new commercial space comprises a walk-through duty free area, which leads to four zones within the international departures area, including retail and F&B. According to Kansai Airports, an extra 60% of space will be added within this area to allow for more shopping and F&B spaces.

The redesign is aimed at providing a more “attractive” airport experience for passengers, who are expected to reach 40 million within the international terminal, mainly after the T1 renovation.

What’s more, the refurbished departure lounge is expected to allow more “comfortable” time before departure, boasting increased floor area and the re-designed commercial space.

Construction at the International airside area (central) and landside commercial area is expected to begin in Phase 2 in 2022-2023.

Duty-free sales driving revenue growth

Kansai Airports enjoyed record-high non-aeronautical revenues in the first half of FY2019, with duty-free sales accounting for 21% of the total revenue growth at the consortium, which comprises Vinci Airports and Orix Corporation as its core members.

Duty-free sales in the period rose 21% year-on-year, with new shop openings at Kansai International Airport, including the Pleats Please Issey Miyake / Bao Bao Issey Miyake and Clé de Peau Beauté stores.

Passenger traffic at Kansai International Airport for the first half of FY2019 reached a record high of 16.34 million, with foreign passengers on international flights reaching an all-time high for the eighth consecutive year.