JAPAN. Osaka International Airport (Itami) will open its renovated North and South terminals on 5 August, after a four-year investment. Crucially. the airside retail zone will feature what Kansai Airports says is “Japan’s first walk-through commercial space in the domestic gate area”.
The project at the domestic airport is only one month behind schedule despite the impact of COVID-19, said Kansai Airports, which also runs Kansai International and Kobe Airport. The latest upgrade spans areas serving ANA and Japan Airlines flights.
The enhanced departures zones will complement already opened central and rooftop areas.
The food & beverage zone, leading from the retail zone, will have an open space at its centre equipped with tables and chairs where travellers can eat, relax and work, said the airport company.
With the reopening, Itami will have a total of 31 new stores post-security, offering many Kansai-inspired products and experiences that are exclusive to the airport. Pre-security, five new stores are opening, four of them under a Gift Hall concept plus a Chinese restaurant.
Speaking to The Moodie Davitt Report about the Itami project in 2019, Kansai Airports Executive Officer and Deputy Chief Commercial Officer (Non-Aeronautical) Stephane Geffroy said: “We are bringing the best of Kansai to these zones, as we did successfully landside last year.” Click here for the full story (page 164).
