Reimagining passenger flow: Kobe Airport’s journey from domestic gateway to global hub
How thoughtful planning and flexible operations are shaping the airport’s future
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Once serving only domestic routes, Kobe Airport is transforming into a vital regional hub that bridges Japan with key Asian destinations. Located just 20 minutes from central Kobe, it is recognized as one of Japan’s best-connected city airports.
As passenger traffic continues to rise across the Kansai region, the airport’s new international terminal was designed to accommodate the surge in demand and enhance connectivity with major cities such as Seoul, Shanghai, Nanjing, Taipei, and Taichung. Initially operating via charter flights, these services will scale toward scheduled international operations, strengthening Kobe’s position in Japan’s broader air network and helping balance tourism flows across neighboring hubs like Osaka and Kyoto.
The benefits are clear for travelers: shorter travel times, streamlined journeys, and improved access to key destinations. These enhancements also provide a boost to the local economy, attracting more visitors and supporting regional business development.
The Challenge
Maintaining smooth, intuitive passenger experience while expanding the airport to support new international operations.
The Solution
SITA Flex Essentials common-use workstations, TS6 self check-in kiosks, and Scan & Go Self Bag Drop (SBD) units.
The Results
Seamless international processing from day one; faster passenger flow and shorter queues; scalable digital infrastructure to support future route growth and higher traffic volumes.
The Challenge
Designing a Smarter Passenger Experience
Kobe faced the challenge of transforming a domestic-only airport into a gateway capable of welcoming international travelers. The airport’s proximity to Hyogo’s key attractions made it a crucial conduit for both tourism and business, so passenger journeys needed to be intuitive, efficient, and self-directed.
To support this vision, the airport needed modern, scalable systems integrating self-service check-in, automated baggage handling, and streamlined border processing. Passengers needed to move through the terminal with minimal friction while staff managed growing traffic efficiently and with flexibility. By combining smart operational design with advanced technology, Kobe Airport aimed to scale services as demand rises, ensuring smooth experiences for international travelers and helping the region capture a larger share of inbound tourism.
The Solution
Laying the Digital Foundations for Growth
At the heart of Kobe Airport’s new terminal lies a unified, passenger-first design supported by SITA’s airport technology. The airport adopted SITA Flex Essentials to run shared, common-use workstations and check-in counters across its operations. This gives airlines the agility to start services quickly without heavy infrastructure investment, while ensuring smooth transitions for passengers regardless of carrier or destination.
Complementing this are SITA’s TS6 kiosks, alongside Scan & Go Self Bag Drop (SBD) capabilities designed to extend self-service deeper into the passenger journey. Together, these intuitive, multilingual and scalable touchpoints support efficient peak-hour operations while maintaining a calm, passenger-friendly flow.
Beyond enhancing the passenger experience, the system also improves operational efficiency. Airlines can configure systems remotely, while airport teams easily manage gate assignments and passenger flows in real time. The result is a terminal that feels both modern and approachable: open, efficient, and ready to grow alongside the city it serves.
The Results
Expanding Horizons for Kobe and Beyond
Since its international terminal opened, Kobe Airport has recorded steady growth in inbound tourism, with passenger numbers rising in tandem with new charter routes. Local tourism bodies estimate that the expanded network may support hundreds of thousands of additional international visitors annually, potentially generating significant economic uplift across the Hyogo Prefecture.
The airport’s upgraded capabilities have also strengthened its strategic role within Japan’s air transport network. Its proximity to central Kobe and direct links to the shinkansen make it a compelling alternative to larger regional gateways like Kansai International Airport, particularly for short-stay and business travelers. By evolving from a domestic hub into an international connector, Kobe Airport is setting a clear example of how mid-sized city airports can scale effectively to meet rising global demand.
According to Kobe Airport, the recent transformation reflects a broader ambition to simplify international travel and improve access across the Kansai region. The team noted that its collaboration with SITA was instrumental in ensuring a smooth, seamless experience from day one.
Kobe Airport’s transformation into an international gateway illustrates how smaller, city-based airports can scale strategically to meet growing demand. Powered by SITA’s adaptable, common-use technologies, the airport is enhancing passenger experiences, improving sustainability, and redefining what convenience and connectivity mean for Japan’s air travel future.
About Kobe Airport:
Kobe Airport is a strategically located offshore airport serving Japan’s Kansai region. Opened in 2006 on an artificial island in Osaka Bay, the airport offers exceptional accessibility, with direct rail connections linking it to central Kobe in approximately 18 minutes. It operates primarily domestic services alongside select international and charter flights. Designed for efficiency, reliability, and passenger comfort, the airport supports business travel, tourism, and regional connectivity. As a key piece of Kobe’s transportation infrastructure, Kobe Airport contributes to economic development while serving as a vital gateway to one of Japan’s leading port cities and innovation hubs.