In 2016, 25.2 million passengers used the airport making it the 30th busiest airport in Asia and 3rd busiest in Japan. Freight volume was at 802,162 tonnes total, of which 757,414 t were international (18th in the world), and 44,748 t were domestic. The 4,000 m × 60 m second runway was opened on 2 August 2007.

Kansai International Airport (KIX), built on a man-made island in Osaka Bay, is one of Japan's busiest hubs, particularly for international traffic. In 2026, it is experiencing a major surge in volume as it serves as the primary gateway for the Expo 2025 legacy tourism and the booming "Kansai Golden Route" (Osaka, Kyoto, Nara). During peak holiday seasons, such as the New Year period or "Golden Week," the airport handles an average of 73,000 to 76,000 international passengers per day. Terminal 1 has recently undergone extensive renovations to improve "Smart Security" and facial recognition gates, which has helped manage the flow, but wait times at immigration can still exceed 60 minutes during midday arrival peaks (roughly 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM). Terminal 2, which serves low-cost carriers like Peach and Jetstar, is generally less crowded but offers fewer amenities. Travelers are currently advised to arrive at least 3 hours before international departures, as the "Haruka" and "Rap:t" train lines to the airport can also reach full capacity during the busy morning rush.