VINCI Airports completes Kansai International Airport terminal upgrade

VINCI Airports and its joint subsidiary with ORIX, Kansai Airports, have inaugurated the expanded and fully renovated international retail area of Terminal 1, marking the completion of an ambitious renovation project launched in 2021. Kansai International Airport (KIX) welcomed over 34 million passengers in 2025, confirming its status as world-class airport and gateway for tourism to Japan. The inauguration ceremony was organised in the presence of Nicolas Notebaert, CEO of VINCI Concessions and Chairman of VINCI Airports, Shuji Irie, Director of Concessions of ORIX group, Rémi Maumon de Longevialle, CEO of VINCI Airports, Yoshiyuki Yamaya, CEO of Kansai Airports, and Benoît Rulleau, co-CEO of Kansai Airports, as well as other officials and partners of Kansai International airport. 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. This project represented a 70-billion-yen total investment. The expansion of the international departures area increased the original surface area by 60%, thus strengthening the airport’s operational capacity and attractiveness. Since taking over the concession for Kansai International airport in 2016, VINCI Airports, alongside its partner ORIX, has actively supported the airport’s development, modernisation, and international reach. Driven by ambitious investments and the deployment of innovative technological solutions, these projects have significantly improved passenger journey and strengthened the airport’s role. As a result, in 2025, Kansai International airport welcomed over 34 million passengers, confirming its status as a gateway to the Kansai region and the world. Nicolas Notebaert, CEO of VINCI Concessions and Chairman of VINCI Airports, said: “As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the concession for Kansai International airport, we are particularly proud of the progress made. 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.” For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Sally Passey at [email protected]