Earthquake and Tsunami Drills at KIX

Kansai Airports today announced that it will hold earthquake and tsunami drills at Kansai International Airport (KIX) on March 5, 2019.

Based on a scenario in which a major tsunami warning is issued for Osaka Prefecture following a magnitude 9.0 Nankai Trough megaquake, participants will carry out a variety of exercises, including evacuation from terminal buildings to a designated site. The drills are also designed to test the effectiveness of the measures developed based on the lessons learned from Typhoon Jebi in 2018. The measures include provision of sufficient support for people stranded in the airport and efficient transportation means to evacuate them from the airport island.

Kansai Airports will also carry out a drill to assemble the members of KIX Joint Crisis Management Group (JCMG) and confirm their roles. Consisting of 30 organizations, KIX JCMG will officially be established in April 2019.

These exercises are expected to reinforce cooperation and coordination with stakeholders and promote awareness of disaster preparedness among airport workers. Confirmation of appropriate first responses and actions in times of an earthquake and tsunami will contribute to the safe operation of the airports.

Kansai Airports is committed to maintaining a safe and secure airport environment, the foundation that underpins passenger experience and air travel.

<Earthquake and tsunami drill>
Time and date: 13:30 to 16:30 on March 5, 2019 (no postponement for light rain）
Location: Terminals 1 and 2, Aeroplaza, Kansai Airport Station, Int’l cargo area
Participants: Approx. 250 companies and organizations (about 350 people)

Scenario:

(1) A Nankai Trough megaquake (magnitude 9.0) occurs with 6-lower on the Japanese seismic scale observed at KIX (6-upper at the south side of the Phase I Island).
(2) Following a major tsunami warning issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency for Osaka prefecture, a tsunami with a height of 2.6 meters strikes KIX 81 minutes after the earthquake.

Drill outline:

Part 1: Site tour of KOC *Media personnel may join upon request (no photography/video recording allowed)
Part 2: Drill to assemble the members of KIX JCMG *Media coverage allowed only at the beginning
Part 3: On-site drill *Media coverage allowed
(1) Earthquake evacuation drill
(2) Support for people stranded (Prioritize support in accordance with severity of needs)
(3) Transportation by bus for people stranded (Guide evacuees to a bus stop and perform crowd control)