- The Kansai Airport is constructed across two artificial islands in Osaka Bay
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A major airport which transports over 30 million passengers a year is reportedly sinking into the sea.
Kansai International Airport in Osaka, which serves as the main hub to reach Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe, is battling against persistent subsidence.
The airport valued at £14/$19 billion was constructed on two man-made islands in Osaka Bay and marked its 30th year of operation in 2024.
Its distinctive design is built to endure earthquakes, featuring runways that flex during such events. earthquake to minimize the chance of experiencing a bone break.
Kansai International Airport has garnered several accolades over the years, such as the Skytrax award forWorld's Best Baggage Handling, thanks to its remarkable track record in baggage management. never losing a suitcase over 30 years .
However, the acclaimed airport is now at risk of being submerged by the ocean.
It is believed that the weight of the airport’s structure is exerting pressure on the clay and silt seabed beneath it.
According to Essential-Japan The main airport has subsided by over 11.5 meters or 38 feet since it was inaugurated.
It is believed that the rate at which the airport is sinking is far greater than what engineers originally anticipated.
Initial projections suggested that the airport would subside by approximately eight meters or 26 feet within 50 years; however, this estimate has already been exceeded.
In 2018, Kansai Airport had to shut down after being isolated during Typhoon Jebi.
The runways at the airport were inundated with rapidly rising floodwaters, and the bridge linking it to the mainland suffered damage.
Essential-Japan states that the airport has since heightened its sea wall to mitigate future flood risks.
Despite the subsidence threat, Kansai International Airport has recently renovated Terminal 1 in anticipation of increased demand ahead of Expo 2025, a major design event in Osaka set to open on April 13.
Kansai Airports Group said it would 'continue to meet the growing demand for air travel and create new travel experiences'.
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