Misplaced Pages

#222777

115-407: Despite its "international" designation, the airport caters exclusively to domestic flights. Kansai International Airport (43 km (27 mi) away) took over the region's international traffic in 1994 and competes with Itami for domestic traffic. Itami also faces competition from Kobe Airport (26 km (16 mi) away), a smaller domestic airport opened in 2006. The airport was named after

230-512: A 1-2-1 configuration. The Business Suite was introduced on the A330 in October 2014, and includes a Panasonic touchscreen eX3 system. By the end of 2016, the business class seats of Qantas' entire Airbus A330 fleet were refitted. Airbus A330 Business Suites are available on Asian routes, transcontinental routes across Australia and selected routes to New Zealand. Updated versions of this seat were fitted to

345-466: A 747 to Itami on January 12, 2014, the first 747 operation at the airport in eight years, for an open house event to commemorate the upcoming retirement of ANA's 747 fleet in March 2014. The government proposed changing Itami's status from first-class airport to second-class airport, which would saddle local governments with one-third of its operating costs; after protests from the surrounding local authorities,

460-520: A combined road and railroad bridge, to Rinku Town and the mainland. The lower level of the bridge is used by two railroad operators: JR West and Nankai Electric Railway . JR West operates the Haruka limited express train services from Kansai Airport Station to Tennōji , Ōsaka , Shin-Ōsaka , and Kyoto Station , with Kansai Airport Rapid  [ ja ] services available from Kansai Airport Station to Ōsaka , Kyōbashi and several stations on

575-422: A forerunner of British Airways , formed a new company, Qantas Empire Airways Limited (QEA). In December 1934, the new airline began operations, flying between Brisbane and Darwin . QEA flew internationally from May 1935, when the service from Darwin was extended to Singapore. Imperial Airways operated the rest of the service through to London. When World War II began, enemy action and accidents destroyed half of

690-611: A hotel complex. The airport is only accessible from the Sky Gate Bridge R, a part of Kansai Airport Expressway. The expressway immediately connects to Hanshin Expressways Route 5, "Wangan Route", and Hanwa Expressway . In July 2007, high-speed ferry service began. OM Kobe operates "Bay Shuttle" between Kobe Airport and KIX. The journey takes about thirty minutes. Qantas Qantas Airways Limited , or simply Qantas ( / ˈ k w ɒ n t ə s / KWON -təs ),

805-595: A large maintenance base at Itami which occasionally services aircraft ferried in from overseas without passengers, and some international cargo flights continue to use the airport as well. The policy of the Japanese government has been to limit operations at Itami in order to spur development at Kansai and Kobe. Commercial passenger aircraft with more than two engines were banned from Itami effective April 2006, although such aircraft may continue to make ferry flights to and from Itami for maintenance purposes. All Nippon Airways flew

920-409: A minimum of three years. The pilots of the last Boeing 747 flight to Mojave Desert via Los Angeles traced the shape of the iconic Qantas logo in the flight path before the jet continued on its journey. In November 2020, Qantas issued a public statement expressing their intention to require passengers traveling overseas to provide proof of COVID-19 inoculation. As per the statement made by Alan Joyce,

1035-576: A new shopping and dining area. Work began in February 2016, and the renovated central area became operational in 2018. On August 5, 2020, the terminal's complete renovation was completed. The latest facilities have helped the airport to rank 78th in Skytrax ’s world airport rankings for 2024, up from 95th the previous year. The only direct railway connection to the airport is the Osaka Monorail , which serves

1150-584: A number of other Jetstar-branded airlines in Asia, as well as Alliance Airlines and Fiji Airways . Qantas was founded in Winton, Queensland on 16 November 1920 by Hudson Fysh , Paul McGinness and Fergus McMaster as Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Limited. The airline's first aircraft was an Avro 504K . It moved its headquarters to Longreach, Queensland in 1921 and Brisbane , Queensland in 1930. In 1934, QANTAS and Britain's Imperial Airways ,

1265-541: A plan to expand the airport by an additional 82.5 ha so that it could accommodate jet aircraft . Despite some protests from locals, the plan was approved by the neighboring city assemblies between 1960 and 1961 with strong backing from local business groups, and land was purchased between 1962 and 1964, in part out of the aviation industry's interest in keeping pace with the development of the Tokaido Shinkansen high-speed rail link between Tokyo and Osaka. The main runway

SECTION 10

#1732858747223

1380-450: A priority. Thus, in 2003, believing that the sinking problem was almost over, the airport operators started to construct a 4,000 m (13,000 ft) second runway and terminal. The second runway opened on 2 August 2007, but with the originally planned terminal portion postponed. This lowered the project cost to JPY¥ 910 billion (approx. US$ 8 billion), saving ¥650 billion from the first estimate. The additional runway development, which

1495-537: A public tender to sell the operating rights for Kansai and Itami Airport in May 2015. Orix and Vinci Airports were the sole bidders for the 45-year contract, at a price of around $ 18 billion. The new operating company, Kansai Airports , took over on 1 April 2016. It is 80% owned by Orix and Vinci, with the remaining 20% owned by Kansai-based enterprises such as Hankyu Hanshin Holdings and Panasonic . On 4 September 2018,

1610-672: A purely international network. Shortly after nationalisation, QEA began its first services outside the British Empire , to Tokyo. Services to Hong Kong began around the same time. In 1957, a head office, Qantas House, opened in Sydney. In June 1959, Qantas entered the jet age when the first Boeing 707–138 was delivered. On 14 September 1992, Qantas merged with nationally owned domestic airline, Australian Airlines , renamed from Trans-Australia Airlines in 1986. Australian Airlines's aircraft started to be rebranded as Qantas aircraft in 1993. Qantas

1725-697: A seasonal service between Sydney and Rome (QF5 and QF6). These flights depart and arrive at the international terminal at Sydney Airport despite the Sydney-Perth segment of these flights being domestic. As Qantas is an Australian airline, it is permitted to carry, and sells tickets for domestic passengers intending to fly solely between Sydney and Perth. Due to this being the case, Qantas issues domestic passengers on these flights with an orange 'D' sticker that allows them to bypass customs and immigration, and passports are not necessary for these passengers. As of October 2024 , Qantas had codeshare agreements with

1840-470: A sophisticated people mover system called the Wing Shuttle , which moves passengers from one end of the pier to the other. The terminal's roof is shaped like an airfoil . This shape is used to promote air circulation through the building: giant air conditioning ducts blow air upwards at one side of the terminal, circulate the air across the curvature of the ceiling, and collect the air through intakes at

1955-713: A third runway (06C/24C) with a length of 3,500 m (11,483 ft), a new cargo terminal and expanding the airport size to 13 km (5 sq mi). However, the Japanese government has currently postponed these plans for economic reasons. Since July 2008, Osaka Prefecture governor Toru Hashimoto has been a vocal critic of Itami Airport , arguing that the Chuo Shinkansen maglev line will make much of its domestic role irrelevant, and that its domestic functions should be transferred to Kansai Airport in conjunction with upgraded high-speed access to Kansai from central Osaka. In 2009, Hashimoto also publicly proposed moving

2070-600: Is the world's third-oldest airline by foundation date and the oldest airline in the English-speaking world — being founded in November 1920. Qantas is an acronym of the airline's original name, Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services , as it originally served Queensland and the Northern Territory . It is popularly nicknamed "The Flying Kangaroo" and has the official slogan "Spirit of Australia". Qantas

2185-590: Is available on all Airbus A330-300, A330-200, Boeing 787 and selected Airbus A380 aircraft. This audio video on demand (AVOD) experience, introduced in 2014 and updated in 2018 on selected aircraft, is based on the Panasonic eX3 system and features extensive entertainment options; enhanced touch screens; and communications-related features such as Wi-Fi and mobile phone functionality; as well as increased support for electronics (such as USB and iPod connectivity). The "my flight" feature offers access to maps, playlists, and

2300-722: Is available on all Qantas mainline passenger aircraft. Seat pitch is usually 79 cm (31 in) and seat width ranges from 43 to 44 cm (17 to 17 + 1 ⁄ 2  in). Layouts are 3–3 on the 737, 2-4-2 on the A330, and 3-3-3 on the B787-9. On the A380, the layout is 3-4-3 and there are four self-service snack bars located in between cabins. In 2019, Qantas began retrofitting its Airbus A380 aircraft with new Economy seats containing new seat cushions and improved inflight entertainment, as offered on Airbus A330 and Boeing 787 aircraft. The new aircraft will have fewer economy seats compared to

2415-741: Is based in the Sydney suburb of Mascot , adjacent to its main hub at Sydney Airport . As of March 2023 , Qantas Group had a 60.8% share of the Australian domestic market. Various subsidiary airlines operate to regional centres and on some trunk routes within Australia, as well as some short haul international flights under the QantasLink banner. Qantas owns Jetstar , a low-cost airline that operates both international services from Australia and domestic services within Australia and New Zealand. It holds stakes in

SECTION 20

#1732858747223

2530-445: Is limited to domestic flights, and can only handle 18 landings per hour and 370 landings per day. As of July 2013, NKIAC is considering providing more leniency to the aforementioned restrictions through negotiations with local authorities, on the basis that advances in technology have allowed modern aircraft to be quieter than those in operation when the restrictions were imposed. NKIAC hopes to coordinate with local governments to increase

2645-449: Is named Sorayan, and was created for the airport's 75th anniversary. She is a round, humanoid airplane who wears a captain's hat, and speaks with an Osaka accent. The name was chosen from over 1,900 suggestions sent to airport operators, and is a combination of Sora , Japanese for " Sky ", and Yan , a word used for emphasis in the local dialect. Her interests include roaming around the airport and fashion, as indicated by her collection of

2760-431: Is now the smallest). The bidding and construction of the airport was a source of international trade friction during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone responded to American concerns, particularly from Senator Frank Murkowski , that bids would be rigged in Japanese companies' favour by providing special offices for prospective international contractors, which ultimately did little to ease

2875-448: Is responsible for the current Qantas uniforms that were unveiled on 16 April 2013. These were to replace the previous uniforms, dubbed colloquially as "Morrissey" by staff after the designer, Peter Morrissey . The new outfits feature a colour palette of black, red and fuchsia pink. Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce stated that the new design "speaks of Australian style on the global stage" at the launch event that involved employees modelling

2990-588: Is the flag carrier of Australia , and the largest airline by fleet size, international flights, and international destinations in Australia and Oceania . A founding member of the Oneworld airline alliance, it is the only airline in the world that flies to all seven continents , with it operating flights to Africa , Antarctica , Asia , Europe , North America and South America from its hubs in Sydney , Perth , Melbourne and Brisbane . It also flies to over 60 domestic destinations across Australia. Qantas

3105-719: Is the primary international airport in the Greater Osaka Area of Japan and the closest international airport to the cities of Osaka , Kyoto , and Kobe . It is located on an artificial island (Kankūjima ( 関空島 ) ) in the middle of Osaka Bay off the Honshu shore, 38 km (24 mi) southwest of Ōsaka Station , located within three municipalities, including Izumisano (north), Sennan (south), and Tajiri (central), in Osaka Prefecture . The airport's first airport island covers approximately 510 hectares (1,260 acres) and

3220-457: The "North Terminal" for JAL and Amakusa; and the "South Terminal" for ANA and IBEX. The departure and arrival zones of the two terminals are connected by a "Central Block" containing shops, restaurants and a hotel. The terminal was planned to be extensively renovated by August 2020 to include a new pier for additional aircraft, consolidated departures and arrivals facilities (including a single central security checkpoint with expanded capacity) and

3335-550: The Australian Capital Territory , Northern Territory and the external territory of Norfolk Island . In addition, Qantas also operates 'flightseeing' charters to Antarctica from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth in partnership with Melbourne-based company Antarctica Flights. It first flew these Antarctic flightseeing trips in 1977. They were suspended for a number of years due to the crash of Air New Zealand Flight 901 on Mount Erebus in 1979. Qantas restarted

3450-480: The Greater Tokyo Area . By flying to Kansai from Haneda Airport and connecting to international flights there, travelers can save the additional time required to get to Narita: up to one and a half hours for many residents of Kanagawa Prefecture and southern Tokyo. The airport was at its limit during peak times, owing especially to freight flights, so a portion of Phase II expansion—the second runway—was made

3565-676: The Transport Workers Union of Australia resulted in the grounding of all Qantas aircraft and a lock-out of the airline's staff for two days. On 25 March 2018, a Qantas Boeing 787 flew non-stop between Australia and Europe, connecting the two continents by air for the first time, with the arrival in London of Flight 9 (QF9). QF9 was a 17-hour, 14,498 km (9,009-mile) journey from Perth Airport in Western Australia to London Heathrow . On 20 October 2019, Qantas Airways completed

Itami Airport - Misplaced Pages Continue

3680-436: The 1960s and 1970s, among them: Jet flights at Itami began on June 1, 1964, and triggered complaints by neighboring residents about noise pollution . In addition, eminent domain procedures were used in 1966 to obtain land for the runway expansion at Itami and led to local protests, as had also been the case in the construction of Narita International Airport near Tokyo. In May 1968, a group of local citizens decided to sue

3795-454: The 30-or-40-metre (100 or 130 ft) layer of earth over the sea floor and inside the sea wall. In 1990, a three-kilometre (1.9 mi) bridge was completed to connect the island to the mainland at Rinku Town , at a cost of $ 1 billion. Completion of the artificial island increased the area of Osaka Prefecture just enough so that it is no longer the smallest prefecture in Japan ( Kagawa Prefecture

3910-565: The High Court injunction was illegal (though the victims remained entitled to damages). By the mid-1970s, the airport was subject to extensive slot restrictions, with operations limited to 200 jets and 170 propeller aircraft per day, and no takeoffs or landings allowed after 9 PM. These restrictions led the major domestic airlines to adopt more widebody aircraft in ultra-high-density configurations on Itami routes. The introduction of these widebodies caused additional concern among locals who protested

4025-561: The Hub in 2014. In 2019, 31.9 million passengers used the airport, making it the third busiest in Japan . The freight volume was 802,162 tonnes total: 757,414 t international (18th in the world) and 44,748 t domestic. The 4,000 m × 60 m (13,120 ft × 200 ft) second runway was opened on 2 August 2007. As of June 2014 , Kansai Airport has become an Asian hub, with 780 weekly flights to Asia and Australasia (including 119 freight), 59 weekly flights to Europe and

4140-537: The Itami and Kansai airport authorities was completed in July 2012. Shortly following the merger, Kansai Airport announced a 5% reduction in landing fees effective October 2012, with additional reductions during overnight hours when the airport is underutilized, and further discounts planned for the future, including subsidies for new airlines and routes. As of October 2012 these moves were intended to bring Kansai's fees closer to

4255-494: The Kansai region's busiest. In 2015, it had 139,450 aircraft movements, serving 14,541,936 domestic passengers and carrying 140,668 metric tons of freight cargo. In 2018, Itami was the seventh busiest in Japan, serving 16.3 million passengers. In the Kansai region, Kansai International Airport had far more passengers than Itami Airport. Itami Airport opened as No. 2 Osaka Airport ( 第二大阪飛行場 , Dai-ni Ōsaka Hikōjō ) in 1939. Prior to

4370-597: The Middle East (5 freight), and 80 weekly flights to North America (42 freight). In 2020, Kansai was ranked the tenth-best airport in the world by Skytrax and received its awards for Best Airport Staff in Asia, World's Best Airport Staff, and World's Best Airport for Baggage Delivery. In the 1960s, when the Kansai region was rapidly losing trade to Tokyo, planners proposed a new airport near Kobe and Osaka. The city's original international airport, Itami Airport , located in

4485-593: The Osaka High Court, which ruled in November 1975 that the plaintiffs were entitled to both a wider scope of damages and an injunction halting flights at the airport between 9 PM and 7 AM. This was a landmark decision in Japanese environmental law as it set a precedent for polluters to be enjoined and to be required to pay damages to victims. However, the state then appealed to the Supreme Court of Japan , which deliberated for almost six years before ruling in 1981 that

4600-666: The Qantas group expanded into the Asian budget airline market with Jetstar Asia , in which Qantas owns a minority stake. In 2007, a similar model was used for an investment into Jetstar Pacific , headquartered in Vietnam, and Jetstar Japan , launched in 2012. In December 2006, Qantas was the subject of a failed bid from a consortium calling itself Airline Partners Australia . In 2008, merger talks with British Airways did not proceed to an agreement. In 2011, industrial relations dispute between Qantas and

4715-964: The Sydney first class lounge. Newson protégé David Caon , since 2016, has been enlisted by Qantas for product design. Caon has designed the cabins of current Qantas Boeing 787, A380 and A220 aircraft, as well as upcoming Airbus A350 and Airbus A321neo aircraft. Caon has also designed new international first and business lounges, domestic business and club lounges, regional lounges, furniture, and accessories. Furniture featured in Qantas first-class lounges and onboard has been manufactured by companies such as Poltrona Frau , Cappellini , Alessi , Tai Ping and Noritake . Qantas has also worked with Sydney's Charles Perkins Centre to conduct research to determine optimal lighting conditions to reduce jetlag on long-haul flights and improve comfort and health "before, during and after long-haul flights". Qantas has received various awards for design. Australian chef and entrepreneur Neil Perry has been responsible for

Itami Airport - Misplaced Pages Continue

4830-466: The Takarazuka Line; Hankyu reportedly re-commenced studies of the project in 2017. JR West announced a plan to build a line to the airport from Itami around 1989 but never proceeded, due in part to the 2005 Amagasaki derailment and demand concerns following the opening of Kobe Airport . Hyogo Prefecture also considered building a light rail system from the airport to central Itami around 2007, but

4945-528: The aircraft. Terminal 2 is not directly connected to Terminal 1 or to Kansai Airport Station . Free shuttle buses run between the two terminals, and between Terminal 2 and the railway and ferry stations. It is also possible to walk between the terminals through the KIX Sora Park, a four-hectare park located adjacent to Terminal 2. Kansai International Airport is connected only by the Sky Gate Bridge R ,

5060-453: The airline's CEO, the presence of a COVID-19 vaccine would be considered indispensable for the purpose of travel. Joyce expressed their intention to potentially modify the terms and conditions, to specify that anyone traveling internationally must have a vaccination before embarking. Qantas also announced a cut of 2,000 jobs to limit its financial losses. In August 2021, Qantas required all of its 22,000 employees to be fully vaccinated against

5175-512: The airline's new Boeing 787 fleet from late 2017. Premium economy class is offered on all Airbus A380 and Boeing 787–9 aircraft. On the Airbus A380, the seat pitch ranges from 97 to 107 cm (38 to 42 in), with a width of 50 cm ( 19 + 1 ⁄ 2  in). On the Boeing 787, it is configured in a 2-3-2 seating arrangement, whereas it is in a 2-3-2 seating arrangement at the rear of

5290-420: The airport offshore. The new airport was part of a number of new developments to revitalize Osaka, which had been losing economic and cultural ground to Tokyo for most of the century. Initially, the airport was planned to be built near Kobe, but the city of Kobe refused the plan, so the airport was moved to a more southerly location on Osaka Bay. There it could be open 24 hours per day, unlike its predecessor in

5405-494: The airport was expected to increase competition between Japan's international airports. Despite this, passenger totals were up 11% in 2005 over 2004, and international passengers increased to 3.06 million in 2006, up 10% over 2005. Adding to the competition were the opening of Kobe Airport, less than 25 km (16 mi) away, in 2006 and the lengthening of the runway at Tokushima Airport in Shikoku in 2007. The main rationale behind

5520-489: The airport was hit by Typhoon Jebi . The airport had to pause operations after seawater surges inundated the island; runways were hit, and the water reached up to the engines of some aircraft. The situation was further exacerbated when a large tanker crashed into the bridge that links the airport to the mainland, effectively stranding the people remaining at the airport. All flights at the airport were canceled until 6 September, at which date Prime Minister Shinzō Abe announced

5635-464: The airport would partially resume domestic operations. Train services to the airport resumed from 18 September 2018 after repair works to the Kansai Airport Line and Nankai Airport Line were completed, and the airport resumed regular operations on 1 October 2018. Repairs to the damaged section of the Sky Gate Bridge R were finally completed on 8 April 2019, restoring traffic both to and from

5750-653: The airport's convenience. They planned to enlist the support of the other neighboring municipalities of Toyonaka, Takarazuka and Ikeda. On the other hand, the Japanese government has supported Kansai at Itami's expense, and current Osaka City mayor and former Osaka Prefecture governor Toru Hashimoto has been a particularly vocal critic of the airport, arguing that the Chuo Shinkansen maglev line will make much of its domestic role irrelevant, and that its domestic functions should be transferred to Kansai in conjunction with upgraded high-speed access to Kansai from central Osaka. In 2009, Hashimoto proposed closing Itami and converting

5865-467: The city of Itami , Hyōgo Prefecture , because most of its land is located there. A portion of the airport property is also located in Toyonaka and Ikeda cities of Osaka Prefecture . The terminal complex is located in all three of these cities, and the only access from the Itami side is via a long tunnel that passes below the runway and apron. In FY2006, Itami used to be Japan's third busiest airport and

SECTION 50

#1732858747223

5980-454: The city. An artificial island, 4 km ( 2 + 1 ⁄ 2  mi) long and 2.5 km ( 1 + 1 ⁄ 2  mi) wide, was proposed. Engineers needed to overcome the extremely high risks of earthquakes and typhoons (with storm surges of up to 3 m or 10 ft). The water depth is 18 metres (59 ft) on top of 20 metres (66 ft) of soft Holocene clay which holds 70% water. A million sand drains were built into

6095-435: The clay to remove water and solidify the clay. Construction started in 1987. The sea wall was finished in 1989 (made of rock and 48,000 tetrapods ). Three mountains were excavated for 21 million cubic metres (27 million cubic yards), and 180 million cubic metres (240 million cubic yards) was used to construct island 1. Over three years, 10,000 workers using 80 ships took 10 million man-hours to complete

6210-412: The construction of Hong Kong International Airport . In 1991, the terminal construction commenced. To compensate for the sinking of the island, adjustable columns were designed to support the terminal building. These are extended by inserting thick metal plates at their bases. Government officials proposed reducing the length of the terminal to cut costs, but architect Renzo Piano insisted on keeping

6325-408: The densely populated suburbs of Itami and Toyonaka , was surrounded by buildings; it could not be expanded, and many of its neighbours had filed complaints because of noise pollution problems. After the protests surrounding New Tokyo International Airport (now Narita International Airport ), which was built with expropriated land in a rural part of Chiba Prefecture , planners decided to build

6440-554: The domestic market in 2000, Qantas' market share fell. Qantas created the budget Jetstar in 2001 to compete. The main domestic competitor to Qantas, Ansett Australia , collapsed in September 2001. Qantas briefly revived the Australian Airlines name as a short-lived international budget airline between 2002 and 2006. This subsidiary was shut down in favour of expanding Jetstar internationally, including to New Zealand. In 2004,

6555-543: The early years of the airport's operation, excessive terminal rent and utility bills for on-site concessions also drove up operating costs: some estimates before opening held that a cup of coffee would have to cost US$ 10. Osaka business owners pressed the government to take a greater burden of the construction cost to keep the airport attractive to passengers and airlines. On 17 February 2005, Chubu Centrair International Airport opened in Nagoya , just east of Osaka. The opening of

6670-542: The end of World War II in 1945, expanding it to 221 hectares and renaming it Itami Air Base . The airfield was used extensively by US forces during the Korean War . In 1954, Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio stopped at Itami during their honeymoon, and in 1956, the base was used in the filming of the movie Sayonara . Itami was renamed Osaka Airport ( 大阪空港 , Ōsaka Kūkō ) following its return to Japanese control in March 1959. The Japanese government quickly implemented

6785-416: The expansions was to compete with Incheon International Airport and Hong Kong International Airport as a gateway to Asia, as Tokyo area airports were severely congested. Kansai saw a 5% year-on-year increase in international traffic in summer 2013, largely supported by low-cost carrier traffic to Taiwan and Southeast Asia overcoming a decrease in traffic to China and South Korea. The airport authority

6900-650: The fleet of ten. Most of the fleet was taken over by the Australian government for war service. In 1943, flying boat services resumed, with flights between the Swan River at Crawley in Perth , Western Australia and Koggala Lake in Ceylon, now Sri Lanka . This linked up with the British Overseas Airways Corporation , BOAC, the successor airline to Imperial Airways, service to London. Qantas' kangaroo logo

7015-440: The flights in 1994. Although these flights do not touch down, they require specific polar operations and crew training due to factors like sector whiteout , which contributed to the 1979 Air New Zealand disaster. As of 2024, Qantas operates the following fifth-freedom services between the following cities: Qantas uses Perth as a transit point for its European services between Sydney and Paris (QF33 and QF34), as well as for

SECTION 60

#1732858747223

7130-663: The focus of a rare aviation agreement dispute between the United States and Australia, as less than 30% of passengers on the Australia-Japan segment were originating in the U.S. even though the "primary objective" of the route authority, according to the US-Australia aviation agreement, was service between the US and Australia. In 1993, after Australia demanded arbitration and the US implemented retaliatory sanctions against Qantas , Northwest

7245-564: The following airlines: Beginning in the early 2000s, Qantas began working with industrial designer Marc Newson on cabin interiors, product design and first-class lounges. This collaboration resulted in the introduction of the Skybed business class seat in 2003 and led to Newson being named as the first Creative Director of Qantas in 2006. Newson was responsible for the design of the Qantas A380 fleet which first entered service in 2008, as well as

7360-727: The frequency on its Itami-Fukuoka route from two flights to five flights daily, making the route more competitive with the Sanyō Shinkansen rail service. In September 2013, NKIAC announced that it would acquire Osaka Airport Terminal Co. for 27.8 billion yen, which an NKIAC official called the "last piece" of the integration of both airports' management. NKIAC plans to market Itami Airport to business travelers by touting its convenience for domestic business travel and improving its connectivity to Narita International Airport , while continuing to market Kansai Airport to leisure and international travelers. Following Typhoon Jebi , which resulted in

7475-534: The functions of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to Kansai Airport as a possible solution for the political crisis surrounding the base. In May 2011, the Diet of Japan passed legislation to form a new Kansai International Airport Corporation using the state's existing equity stake in Kansai Airport and its property holdings at Itami Airport. The move was aimed at offsetting Kansai Airport's debt burden. The merger of

7590-602: The glass in the windows remained intact. On 22 September 1998, the airport survived a typhoon with wind speeds over 60 m/s (130 mph). On 19 April 2001, the airport was one of ten structures given the "Civil Engineering Monument of the Millennium" award by the American Society of Civil Engineers . As of 2008 , the total cost of Kansai Airport was $ 20 billion including land reclamation, two runways , terminals, and facilities. Most additional costs were initially due to

7705-524: The government for damages related to noise pollution from Itami Airport. The lawsuit was filed in December 1969. The Japanese government concurrently banned takeoffs and landings at Itami between 10:30 PM and 6:30 AM, effective February 1970. In February 1974, the Osaka District Court issued a qualified ruling in favor of the plaintiffs which limited the scope of their damages. The plaintiffs appealed to

7820-447: The increased pollution and greater dangers in the event of a crash. Because of the political friction surrounding Itami, planners began work in the 1970s to relocate many of its flights to an offshore location. This plan led to the opening of Osaka's current international airport, referred to as Kansai International Airport , in 1994 on an artificial island in Kansai region . There were originally plans to close Itami Airport following

7935-435: The island's sinking, caused by the soft soils of Osaka Bay, which was anticipated by designers. The sink rate fell from 50 cm (20 in) per year during 1994 to 7 cm (3 in) per year in 2008. Opened on 4 September 1994, the airport serves as a hub for several airlines such as All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, and Nippon Cargo Airlines. It is the international gateway for Japan's Kansai region , which contains

8050-556: The level of Narita International Airport , where landing fees were around 20% lower than Kansai's, and to improve competitiveness with other Asian hubs such as Incheon International Airport in South Korea. Since its formation, the new operating company has also made efforts toward international expansion, bidding for operating concessions at Yangon International Airport and Hanthawaddy International Airport in Myanmar . KIAC conducted

8165-456: The longest commercial flight to date, between New York City and Sydney using a Boeing 787–9 Dreamliner in 19 hours and 20 minutes. On 19 March 2020, Qantas suspended about 60% of domestic flights, put two thirds of its employees on leave, suspended all international flights and grounded more than 150 of its aircraft from the end of March until at least 31 May 2020, following expanded COVID-19 pandemic government travel restrictions. To survive

8280-496: The lounge on the upper deck. Complimentary access to both the first class and business class lounges (or affiliated lounges) is offered as well. Updated versions of this seat were fitted to the airline's refurbished Airbus A380 aircraft from late 2019. The seat features refreshed cushioning and larger entertainment screens compared to the older version. Business Suites are available on all Boeing 787, Airbus A330, and selected Airbus A380 aircraft. These seats are lie-flat and are in

8395-515: The main Terminal 1. Peach requested that Terminal 2 have a simplified design in order to minimize operating costs. The terminal is a single-story building, thus eliminating the cost of elevators . Passageways to aircraft have no air conditioning. The terminal also has no jet bridges , having one boarding gate for domestic departures and one boarding gate for international departures. In case of rain, passengers are lent umbrellas to use as they walk to

8510-455: The mainland completely. The main KIX passenger terminal, Terminal 1, is a single four-storey building designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop ( Renzo Piano and Noriaki Okabe ), and has a gross floor space of 296,043 square metres (3,186,580 sq ft). As of 2018 , at a total length of 1.7 km (1.1 mi) from end to end, Terminal 1 is the longest airport terminal in the world. It has

8625-418: The major cities of Kyoto, Kobe, and Osaka. Other Kansai domestic flights fly from the older but more conveniently located Osaka International Airport in Itami, or from the newer Kobe Airport. The airport had been deeply in debt, losing $ 560 million in interest every year. Airlines had been kept away by high landing fees (about $ 7,500 for a Boeing 747 ), the second most expensive in the world after Narita's. In

8740-536: The mouth of the Yamato River, also targeted at seaplanes, but concerns about fog and protests from Kobe-based businesses led the government to build the "No. 2 Airport" for land-based aircraft instead. Construction began in July 1936 on a 53- hectare (131 acre) site. The new airport was primarily used by the Imperial Japanese Army during its early years. U.S. occupation forces took over Osaka Airport after

8855-422: The national government withdrew this proposal. The government also proposed banning widebody aircraft from Itami, although this proposal was criticized as unrealistic given the volume of traffic there. In May 2011, the Diet of Japan passed legislation to form a new Kansai International Airport Corporation using the state's existing equity stake in Kansai Airport and its property holdings at Itami Airport. The move

8970-484: The northern and southern arrival routes of Terminal 1, there are decorations of Nintendo characters like Mario , Luigi , Princess Peach , and others welcoming arriving passengers. Terminal 2 is a low-cost carrier (LCC) terminal designed to attract more LCCs by providing lower landing fees than Terminal 1. It is exclusively occupied by Peach , Spring Airlines , and Jeju Air . Other LCCs serving Kansai, such as Jetstar Airways , Jetstar Japan , and Cebu Pacific , use

9085-553: The northern suburbs of Osaka, connecting to the Hankyu Takarazuka Main Line at Hotarugaike Station and the Kita-Osaka Kyuko Railway ( Midōsuji Line ) at Senri-Chuo Station . Several plans have been formulated for improving rail access to the airport. Hankyu considered building a spur from the Takarazuka Line to the airport in the 1970s, but did not proceed with the project due to capacity constraints on

9200-591: The number of passengers assisted, but would not be profitable at Hankyu's standard fare level and would require a significant surcharge in order to break even. Itami Airport is directly connected to the Hanshin Expressway Ikeda Route and is five minutes' drive from the Chugoku Expressway , making it possible to reach central Osaka by car or bus in 25 to 30 minutes, central Kobe in 40 minutes and central Kyoto in 55 minutes. Itami Airport's mascot

9315-401: The number of slots allowed during the day and to open additional slots during nighttime hours. Both Hyogo Prefecture and Itami City are supporters of expanded service at Itami, and established a formal coordination body in July 2013 to propose further reforms such as allowing international charter flights, and to engage in local efforts such as improving ground transportation and publicizing

9430-630: The onboard and ground based culinary offerings of the airline since becoming the director of food, beverage, and service in 1997, and currently Qantas' catering operations are supplied by dnata . In 2022, to celebrate the 25-year collaboration with Perry, Qantas reintroduced a selection of his most popular inflight and lounge dishes. Qantas is currently the only airline in Australia to offer complimentary meals, snacks and beverages on all domestic flights, including regional QantasLink services. Paris-based Australian designer Martin Grant  [ fr ]

9545-564: The onboard soft furnishings. In August 2022, Qantas Airways announced plans to compete in June 2023 with Air New Zealand on the non-stop Auckland –New York route. Qantas flights would originate in Sydney, before flying in 2025 on a non-stop Sydney–New York route, as part of Project Sunrise. Qantas aims to eliminate the " tyranny of distance " by developing non-stop flight routes connecting Australian cities to New York City, and to London. In February 2023, Qantas announced soaring profits of A$ 1.7bn for

9660-641: The opening of Itami, Kizugawa Airport was Osaka's main civilian airport. It handled both seaplanes and conventional ones. The site of Kizugawa Airport is now a port area in Funamachi in south end of Taisho Ward with only a small marker located in Funamachi Ryokuchi Park below the Shin-Kizugawa Bridge . In 1931, the Osaka municipal government drafted plans to construct a new "No. 1 Osaka Airport" near

9775-500: The opening of Kansai, but nearby communities opposed such a move for economic reasons, so Itami was retained as a domestic-only airport after Kansai opened in 1994. Itami has been used by international charters for state visits – Air Force One visited Itami in November 2005 and Chinese premier Wen Jiabao landed at Itami in April 2007 – and by Asiana Airlines charter flights to and from South Korea in late 2015. All Nippon Airways retains

9890-472: The opening of the Naniwasuji Line in 2031. Kansai Airport Transportation Enterprise and other bus operators offer scheduled express bus services, called "Airport Limousines", for Kansai International Airport. Two six storey parking structures, called P1 and P2, are located above a railroad terminal station, while the other two level parking facilities, called P3 and P4, are situated next to "Aeroplaza",

10005-453: The operating rights for Kansai and Itami Airport in May 2015. Orix and Vinci SA were the sole bidder for the 45-year contract, at a price of around $ 18 billion. The new operating company will be formed around the end of 2015 and will be 80% owned by Orix and Vinci, with the remaining 20% owned by Kansai-based enterprises such as Hankyu Hanshin Holdings and Panasonic . Itami Airport has a single terminal building with 21 gates, divided into

10120-419: The other side. Mobiles are suspended in the ticketing hall to take advantage of the flowing air. The ticketing hall overlooks the international departures concourse, and the two are separated by a glass partition. During Kansai's early days, visitors were known to throw objects over the partition to friends in the corridor below. The partition was eventually modified to halt this practice. On 23 June 2017, at

10235-675: The pandemic, Qantas axed 6,000 jobs and announced a plan to raise A$ 1.9 billion in new capital. Qantas offloaded its 30% stake in Jetstar Pacific to Vietnam Airlines , retiring the Jetstar brand in Vietnam. In July 2020, Qantas retired its last Boeing 747-438ER, after almost 49 years of continuous operation of the type—the first 747-238B was introduced in August 1971. All twelve Airbus A380s were placed in storage, ten at Mojave Air & Space Port and two at Los Angeles International Airport, for

10350-440: The participation of foreign contractors in the bidding process. Later, foreign airlines complained that two-thirds of the departure hall counter space had been allocated to Japanese carriers, disproportionately to the actual carriage of passengers through the airport. The island had been predicted to sink 5.7 m (18 ft 8 in) by the most optimistic estimate as the weight of the material used for construction compressed

10465-474: The previous configuration due to an increase in the number of premium seats. All Qantas mainline aircraft contain some form of video and audio entertainment. Qantas has several types of in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems installed on its aircraft. The "Total Entertainment System" by Rockwell Collins was available on selected domestic and international aircraft between 2000 and 2019. This AVOD system included personal LCD screens in all classes, located in

10580-539: The same type of jewelry and have long hair in a ponytail or bun. First class is available exclusively on the Airbus A380. It offers 14 individual suites in a 1-1-1 layout. The seats face forward for takeoff, but can rotate to the side for sleeping and dining with 83.5in seat pitch (extending to a 212 cm fully flat bed) and a width of 74 cm (29 in). Each suite contains a 43 cm (17 in) widescreen monitor. In addition to AC power outlets, USB ports are also offered. Passengers are also able to utilise

10695-514: The seabed silts. However, by 1999, the island had sunk 8.2 m (26 ft 11 in) – almost 50% more than predicted. The project became the most expensive civil works project in modern history after twenty years of planning, three years of construction and US$ 15bn of investment. Much of what was learned went into the successful artificial islands in silt deposits for New Kitakyushu Airport , Kobe Airport , and Chubu Centrair International Airport . The lessons of Kansai Airport were also applied in

10810-438: The seat back for economy and business class, and in the armrest for premium economy and first class. The Mainscreen System is available on selected Boeing 737–800 aircraft. This entertainment system, introduced gradually between 2002 and 2011, has overhead video screens as the main form of entertainment. Movies are shown on the screens on longer flights and TV programmes on shorter flights. A news telecast will usually be shown at

10925-401: The second covers approximately 545 hectares (1,347 acres), for a total of 1,055 hectares (2,607 acres). Kansai opened on 4 September 1994 to relieve overcrowding at Osaka International Airport , also called Itami Airport, which is closer to Osaka. It consists of two terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Terminal 1, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano , is the longest airport terminal in

11040-476: The second half of 2022, after experiencing losses due to COVID. In a development described by ABC News as a "mammoth protest vote", on 3 November 2023 nearly 83% of Qantas shareholders voted against the airline's remuneration report. Qantas operates regular services from Australia to destinations in Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and South America. Its domestic network serves all Australian states , along with

11155-455: The silk scarves worn by Japanese flight attendants. She has made appearances with Kan-kun, the mascot of nearby Kansai International Airport. [REDACTED] Media related to Osaka International Airport at Wikimedia Commons Kansai International Airport Kansai International Airport ( Japanese : 関西国際空港 , romanized :  Kansai Kokusai Kūkō ), commonly known as Kankū ( Japanese : 関空 ) ( IATA : KIX , ICAO : RJBB ),

11270-452: The site into an "International Campus Freedom City" operating in the English language with 20,000 residents; the governor of Hyogo criticized the idea as "complete nonsense." Hashimoto later expressed support for Transport Minister Seiji Maehara 's plan to maintain Itami with further restrictions on the size of aircraft. Kansai International Airport Corporation conducted a public tender to sell

11385-771: The start of each flight. Audio options are less varied than on Q, iQ or the Total Entertainment System. The "iQ" inflight entertainment system by Panasonic Avionics Corporation is available on selected Airbus A380 and Boeing 737–800 aircraft. This AVOD experience, introduced in 2008, is based on the Panasonic Avionics system and features expanded entertainment options, touch screens and new communications-related features such as Wi-Fi and mobile phone functionality, as well as increased support for electronics (such as USB and iPod connectivity). The "Q" inflight entertainment system by Panasonic Avionics Corporation

11500-445: The temporary closure of Kansai Airport in September 2018, operating hours at both Itami and Kobe were extended, and the government began considering permitting international service at all three Osaka area airports. Japan Airlines later announced that it would operate two special flights between Itami and Hong Kong in mid-October 2018. These would be the first scheduled international passenger flights to or from Itami in 24 years. Itami

11615-464: The terminal at its full planned length. The airport was opened on 4 September 1994. On 17 January 1995, Japan was struck by the Great Hanshin earthquake , the epicenter of which was about 20 km (12 mi) away from KIX and killed 6,434 people on Japan's main island of Honshū . Its earthquake engineering , particularly the use of sliding joints, allowed the airport to emerge unscathed. Even

11730-401: The terminal's promotion space, a game experience area known as " Nintendo Check In" opened. In this game experience area, guests arriving at Terminal 1 can play Nintendo Switch games free of charge. There is a statue of Mario at the experience area, along with Super Mario Cappy caps from Super Mario Odyssey for passengers to take photos with. There also Amiibo figurines on display there. In

11845-645: The uniforms. Grant consulted with Qantas staff members over the course of one year to finalise the 35 styles that were eventually created. Not all employees were happy with the new uniform, however, with one flight attendant saying "The uniforms are really tight and they are simply not practical for the very physical job we have to do." In 2020 Grant also designed a Qantas branded athleisure-wear collection. Qantas declared in 2023 that it had ended uniform rules based on gender. Female flight attendants are no longer required to wear high heels, male flight attendants can wear makeup, and flight attendants of any gender can wear

11960-418: The upper deck on the A380. The total number of seats depends on the aircraft type, as A380s have 35–60 seats, (depending on the configuration) and 787s have 28 seats. In 2019, Qantas began retrofitting its Airbus A380 aircraft with new Premium Economy seats, as offered on Boeing 787 aircraft. The new cabin will gain 25 premium economy seats compared to the previous configuration. International Economy class

12075-555: The virus. In May 2022, Qantas ordered twelve A350-1000 aircraft from Airbus , to be used in non-stop flights from Sydney to London in late 2025. In the same month, Qantas agreed terms to purchase Alliance Airlines . In April 2023, the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) opposed the takeover. By April 2024 Qantas had returned ten of its original twelve A380s to service, with all serviceable aircraft having undergone major refurbishment work to enhance

12190-496: The way. Connecting train service to Wakayama is available at Hineno Station . Various connections, such as buses, subways, trams, and other railroads, are available at each station. Nankai operates the rapi:t , a limited express train service to Namba Station on the southern edge of downtown Osaka. Osaka Metro connections are available at Namba and Tengachaya Station . Rail connections to and from Kansai Airport are expected to further improve access to and from Umeda with

12305-528: The world with a length of 1.7 km ( 1 + 1 ⁄ 16  mi). The airport serves as an international hub for All Nippon Airways , Japan Airlines , and Nippon Cargo Airlines and as a hub for Peach , the first international low-cost carrier in Japan. It is also the North Pacific hub for the FedEx Express , which obtained its fifth-right under the 1998 U.S. and Japan air agreement and established

12420-417: Was aimed at offsetting Kansai Airport's debt burden. NKIAC started free shuttle bus service between Itami and Kansai for transfer passengers in order to further integrate the two as a single hub. Itami has also seen increased domestic passenger traffic in 2013 following the easing of flight restrictions, which was possible due to propeller aircraft being replaced by quieter regional jets; JAL was able to increase

12535-456: Was allotted four billion yen in government support for fiscal year 2013, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport and the Ministry of Finance agreed to reduce this amount in stages through fiscal year 2015, although local governments in the Kansai region have pressed for continued subsidies. Kansai has been marketed as an alternative to Narita Airport for international travelers from

12650-410: Was completed in 1970. In its heyday Itami was served by a variety of major international carriers, including Pan Am (Japan routes transferred to United in 1985), British Airways , Air India , Cathay Pacific and Korean Air . Northwest Airlines was a major international operator at Itami, and by 1992 offered nonstop service to New York, Los Angeles, Honolulu and Sydney. The Sydney service became

12765-547: Was first used on the " Kangaroo Route ", begun in 1944, from Sydney to Karachi, where BOAC crews took over for the rest of the journey to the UK. In 1947, QEA was nationalised by the Australian government led by Labor Prime Minister Ben Chifley . QANTAS Limited was then wound up. After nationalisation, Qantas' remaining domestic network, in Queensland, was transferred to the nationally owned Trans-Australia Airlines , leaving Qantas with

12880-503: Was forced to limit the amount of local Australia-Japan traffic on the Osaka-Sydney route, and subsequently abandoned the service entirely. B.O.A.C also operated in Osaka until 1974, flying from either Taipei or Tokyo . While Japan's economy was growing rapidly, the area around Itami Airport became an increasingly dense residential area for commuters to Osaka. A number of factors made the airport an intensely debated political issue in

12995-482: Was gradually privatised between 1993 and 1997. Under legislation passed to allow the privatisation, Qantas must be at least 51% owned by Australian shareholders. In 1998, Qantas co-founded the Oneworld alliance with American Airlines , British Airways , Canadian Airlines , and Cathay Pacific , with other airlines joining subsequently. With the entry of new discount airline Virgin Blue, now Virgin Australia , into

13110-555: Was opened in time for the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Osaka , has expanded the airport size to 10.5 square kilometres (2,600 acres). The second runway is used for landings and when there are incidents prohibiting takeoff from runway A. The new runway allowed the airport to start 24-hour operations in September 2007. A new terminal building opened in late 2012. There are additional plans for several new aprons,

13225-457: Was unwilling to commit funding for the project due to profitability concerns. An April 2018 study by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism concluded that a 4 km, 70 billion yen spur line from Sone to the airport, allowing one-stop express service to Umeda in around 20 minutes, would deliver a greater benefit-cost ratio than many other Japanese rail projects in terms of

#222777