OSAKA- Japan’s engineering marvel, Kansai International Airport (KIX), claims it has maintained a perfect record of zero lost luggage over 30 years of operation.
Recently, Kansai International Airport, located in Osaka, was honored with the Skytrax award for the World’s Best Airport for Baggage Delivery.
Photo: Renzo Piano
Photo: Renzo PianoKansai Airport Never Lost Baggage
According to a press release from the airport, they attribute this achievement to the collective daily efforts and meticulous work of everyone involved, including airlines and handling companies.
This marks the eighth time Kansai International Airport has received the award. Since its opening in 1994, the airport estimates it serves approximately 28 million passengers annually.
Photo: Japan AirlinesThe airport managed around 10 million baggage items in the past fiscal year.
Credit for its impressive track record is attributed to a sophisticated system where two or three staff members meticulously verify the number and types of bags for each aircraft.
According to a manager from one of the airport’s operators, CKTS, a manual outlines rules tailored to each airline. The company aims to ensure all items reach baggage claim within 15 minutes of arrival.
Photo: American AirlinesUS and Canadian Airports should Learn from KIX
In the United States, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported that 0.58% of all bags were mishandled last year, representing an improvement from 2022. However, issues tend to escalate during the bustling summer season. In July, the mishandling rate surged to 0.75% compared to the previous year.
BTS data indicates that in 2022, a total of 2.987 million bags were mishandled on domestic flights in the US.
Many US and international travelers are adopting precautionary measures such as placing Apple AirTags in their luggage to mitigate the risk of loss, especially following the chaotic incidents observed at US and Canadian airports during the summer of 2022.
In the upcoming year, Kansai International Airport is preparing to accommodate a surge in visitors for the six-month Expo 2025.
Nikkei Asia reports that the airport anticipates handling 37.3 million passengers during that fiscal period.
Photo: Sky FrontAbout the World’s First Floating Airport
Situated near Osaka Bay, Kansai International Airport (KIX) is the world’s most costly civil engineering endeavor to date.
Despite facing numerous environmental hurdles, Japan has emerged as a crucial hub in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. Tokyo, boasting a population of 14 million, holds the distinction of being the most densely inhabited metropolitan area worldwide.
Following two decades of planning, three years of construction, and an astounding investment totaling US$15 billion, Kansai International Airport (KIX) was completed.
On September 4, 1994, the airport welcomed its first passengers, serving as a pivotal hub for international air travel in the vibrant regions of Osaka, Kobe, and Kyoto. Notably, it operates as a primary hub for All Nippon Airways (NH), Japan Airlines (JL), and Nippon Cargo Airlines (KZ).
The project has sparked varied opinions, with some regarding KIX as a pinnacle of engineering excellence, while others perceive it as a significant engineering mishap in modern times.
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