Skip to main content

Japanese airport wins transport achievement award

The International Transport Forum’s (ITF) global summit of Transport Ministers has recognised Osaka’s New Kansai International Airport Company (NKIAC) for its model of funding key transport infrastructure, with the award of its 2013 Transport Achievement Award. Established by the Japanese government in 2012, NKIAC integrated the operation of Osaka’s two major air hubs, Kansai International Airport (KIX) and Osaka International Airport (ITM). Under this new structure, funding for a dedicated low-cost carrier
May 24, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
The 998 International Transport Forum’s (ITF) global summit of Transport Ministers has recognised Osaka’s New Kansai International Airport Company (NKIAC) for its model of funding key transport infrastructure, with the award of its 2013 Transport Achievement Award.

Established by the Japanese government in 2012, NKIAC integrated the operation of Osaka’s two major air hubs, Kansai International Airport (KIX) and Osaka International Airport (ITM).

Under this new structure, funding for a dedicated low-cost carrier terminal and strategic price incentives for off-peak take-offs and landings have helped the emergence of a new low-cost carrier market in Japan. It has also spurred the development of a new airfreight logistics hub at KIX, boosting use of both airports.

The pooling of resources and cash flow has enabled innovative cross-funding, allowing government subsidies for KIX to be progressively reduced to zero.

With economic viability achieved, NKIAC is preparing the sale of concessions for the operation of both airports. This will be a first for major infrastructure in Japan and is expected to set an example for other projects.

The award will be presented to Mr Keiichi Ando, President of NKIAC, on 23 May during the 2013 Summit of Transport Ministers from the 54 member countries of the International Transport Forum (ITF), in the city of Leipzig, Germany.

Related Content

  • August 2, 2024
    ITS Australia Summit 2024 celebrates strong Asia-Pacific involvement
    Representatives from 11 ITS Asia Pacific member associations will attend in Sydney
  • March 17, 2016
    Inland waterways can de-stress city roads
    David Crawford looks at an under-utilised solution for city-centre deliveries. The use of rivers and canals for moving freight is a well-established mode in North Western Europe, where it can take advantage of an intensively developed network. In the Netherlands, 40% of the total volume of goods transported internally goes by water; the figure for Flanders (the neighbouring Dutch-speaking region of Belgium) is 11.5%.
  • April 30, 2014
    FTA, BMW support UK government funding for green cars
    The UK government has announced plans to invest US$840 million ultra-low emission vehicle industry. It is hoped that this will help drivers both afford and feel confident about using electric cars. Announcing the funding during a visit to the Transport Research Laboratory, Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister said: “Owning an electric car is no longer a dream or an inconvenience. Manufacturers are turning to this new technology to help motorists make their everyday journeys green and clean.”
  • August 10, 2016
    Mileage based charging offers secure future for funding
    HNTB’s Matthew Click sets out why a move to mileage-based pricing is inevitable. Infrastructure is the most neglected yet the most critical engine of our society, and our continued indifference could lead to a dystopian future. Our roads, bridges and highways have been largely passed by in the digital age—marginalised in an era when funding is limited and stewardship of physical assets has given way to our preoccupation with technological innovation and data—the stuff of the virtual realm.