Fukuoka International Airport (FIAC), which operates Fukuoka Airport, unveiled the newly expanded north area of its international terminal building to the media on March 27. The terminal will fully open on the 28th.
The international terminal building, which opened in 1999, faced challenges such as space constraints and inadequate functionality due to the increase in passenger numbers. Expansion work began in May 2022. By December 2023, the northern concourse of the departure area was extended, and the number of passenger boarding bridges (PBB) increased from 6 to 12. Furthermore, by December 2024, the arrival lobby will be expanded, and a new access hall with bus terminal functions will be added, with improvements progressing in stages.
On the 28th, the newly expanded north area of the terminal will begin operations. After the expansion, the total floor area will be approximately 136,000 square meters, doubling the size of the entire terminal.
Security checkpoints and immigration inspection areas have been relocated to the expansion area, increasing the security lanes from the previous 6 to 7. By introducing smart lanes in all lanes where removing items like laptops is unnecessary, processing capacity will double. With future passenger growth in mind, up to 11 lanes can be added. Additionally, for the first time in the Kyushu region, priority lanes for upper-class passengers and others to receive priority security checks will be introduced.
The duty-free area after immigration inspections has expanded to about 6,000 square meters, four times the previous size. It will feature 45 new brands, including boutiques, cosmetics, and fashion, significantly expanding the product lineup. The walk-through design places duty-free shops on both sides of the passenger path, with a symbolic 8.7-meter tall “YAGUA,” featuring local crafts like Yame Lanterns and Hakata weaving, and sake barrel motifs at the area’s center.
Further within the duty-free area, a new food court “HAKATA FOOD HALL” has been established. Eight outlets including “Kamakiri Udon,” hamburger cafe “Rayleigh,” “Hakata Guruguru Torikawa & Unagi Takenoya,” “Hakata Nagahama Fresh Seafood Rice Bowl Umino Shokudo,” “Tempura & Grilled Dumpling Yatai Maruni,” “Ganso Motsunabe Rakutenchi,” “Wagokoro Tonkatsu Anzu,” and “Ko-chan Ramen” will open, offering 295 seats.
Additionally, an arrival duty-free shop opened on March 19 in the baggage claim area. With a floor space of 125 square meters, it primarily offers western liquors and international tobacco products. The number of arrival baggage claim conveyors will increase from 4 to 6, and eventually to 8 within this fiscal year.
The existing facilities will continue undergoing renovations, aiming for completion by the end of November. With a series of functional enhancements and the second runway expansion that commenced on March 20, international passenger numbers are expected to reach 8.5 million in fiscal 2024.
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