Japan-Singapore consortium strikes agreement to manage Fukuoka Airport

Fukuoka Airport HD Group, a consortium led by Fukuoka Airport Holdings, and comprising Nishi-Nippon Railroad, Mitsubishi Corporation, Changi Airports International and Kyushu Electric Power, has struck a deal to manage Fukuoka Airport.

The gateway to the island of Kyushu, Fukuoka is Japan’s fourth biggest airport measured by passenger traffic after Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda and Kansai. It handles over 20 million passengers a year.

The contract is for 30 years, rising to a possible 35, starting from 1 April 2019. The consortium was selected as the preferred bidder for the project on 16 May.

The move marks the latest privatisation of a Japanese airport, with Kansai International the largest of those already under private management (through a consortium of Vinci Airports and Orix). Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism also recently embarked on the privatisation of seven northern airports, led by Sapporo Chitose.

According to a statement from the partners, the consortium “will facilitate the revitalisation of the airport and its surrounding areas, and unlock its potential as a key transport hub in the region, with the long-term aim of stimulating Kyushu’s economy through trade and business activities. The consortium is committed to safe and secure airport operations, and will leverage the Fukuoka Airport’s centre city location as well as its geographical proximity to East and Southeast Asia.”