Since its inception in September 1994, Kansai International Airport has maintained a flawless record of never losing a single piece of luggage.

Traveling can be stressful—delays, long lines, bad weather, and, perhaps most frustrating of all, lost luggage. But at Kansai International Airport in Osaka, Japan, that last concern is almost nonexistent. Since its opening in September 1994, the airport has reportedly never lost a single piece of luggage—an extraordinary feat considering it serves 28 million passengers annually and handled around 10 million bags in fiscal year 2023.
📅 Since Opening in:
September 1994

✈️ Bags Handled (2023):
10 million+

👥 Annual Passengers Served:
28 million

Named the world’s best airport for baggage delivery by Skytrax eight times, Kansai stands in stark contrast to the U.S., where domestic flights misplace approximately 3 million bags each year. So, what’s the secret behind Kansai’s remarkable track record?

According to a 2024 statement from the airport, the achievement stems from the “daily efforts and careful work” of its staff, including airline and ground handling teams. This commitment plays out through a multilayered, highly organized system. Staff members verify baggage counts from departure to arrival, and any discrepancy triggers an immediate, thorough search—whether in the plane’s cargo hold or sorting rooms. Their goal: deliver all bags to claim within 15 minutes of landing. Each airline also follows a detailed manual tailored to its operations.
🔍 Why Kansai Airport Never Loses Luggage
✅ Multi-Layered System
Staff verify baggage counts at departure & arrival

Every mismatch triggers immediate tracing

👥 Dedicated Teamwork
Collaboration across airlines, ground staff & handlers

Airline-specific rule manuals ensure consistency

⏱️ Rapid Delivery
Goal: Baggage at claim within 15 minutes of arrival

With Osaka hosting the World Expo starting April 13, 2025, and expecting over 20 million visitors, the pressure to maintain this impeccable service has never been higher. But as baggage operations manager Tsuyoshi Habuta says, the goal remains clear: to make Kansai a vibrant, seamless hub for all who pass through.