Work begins this month on a new large-scale commercial complex at Fukuoka Airport in northern Kyushu, part of the ongoing expansion of the hub amid an increase in passengers.
Fukuoka is Japan’s fourth busiest airport, handling 25 million passengers in fiscal 2023, following Haneda, Narita, and Kansai, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
The new runway will primarily be used for international flight take-offs. A new airport control tower, along with a renovated international passenger terminal, were also completed last month.
Now, efforts are focused on the new complex, scheduled to open in summer 2027. The 11-storey facility will feature 180 new shops, bringing the total number of shops at the airport to about 270, making it one of the largest retail centres of any airport in Japan.
With the theme of a “travelling airport,” the F&B offerings will showcase Fukuoka’s local delicacies and Asian cuisine, reflecting the city’s role as a gateway to the continent.
The upper floors of the building will house the 165-room Solaria Nishitestu Hotel, a boutique brand focused on business and leisure travel, with direct airport access.
“This will truly be a year of growth,” said Shinji Tagawa, president of Fukuoka International Airport.
