Kumamoto Airport Passenger Numbers Hit Record High in Over 50 Years, Driven by TSMC Effect

Kumamoto Airport in Japan recorded 3,850,993 passengers in fiscal 2025, a new record since its relocation to the current site in 1971. International passengers reached 640,871, approximately 1.3 times the previous fiscal year. The airport operating company analyzed that TSMC's establishment of a factory in Kumamoto has raised the region's international profile, driving not only business demand but also a continuous increase in tourists.

According to a report by the Yomiuri Shimbun, citing statistics from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the number of passengers at Kumamoto Airport in fiscal 2025 increased from the previous year. International passengers totaled 640,871, a 33.5% year-on-year increase. Routes to South Korea and Taiwan performed particularly well, becoming a major driver of passenger growth.

Kumamoto International Airport Co. stated that since TSMC's arrival, Kumamoto's overseas visibility has significantly improved, attracting more foreign visitors. Many people now list Kumamoto as a travel destination in addition to business activities.

In late May, a flight from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport arrived in Kumamoto, with a large number of passengers exiting the international arrivals hall. A 43-year-old Taiwanese tourist visiting Kumamoto for the first time said, "In Taiwan, many people know about Kumamoto through TV and the internet. Now having direct flights is very convenient. I'm really looking forward to seeing Kumamon."

Kumamoto Airport has been continuously expanding its international route network in recent years. In fiscal 2025, Taiwan's Tigerair Taiwan added Kaohsiung-Kumamoto and Tainan-Kumamoto routes. China Eastern Airlines also launched a Shanghai-Kumamoto route (currently suspended). Additionally, Taiwan's STARLUX Airlines opened a Taichung-Kumamoto route at the end of March this year. Currently, Kumamoto Airport operates 6 international routes with 44 flights per week, and plans further flight increases this fiscal year.

On the other hand, domestic passenger numbers were 3,210,122, a slight decrease of 0.1% from the previous year, remaining largely flat. The report noted that while business travel demand continues to decline post-pandemic, stable demand on the Haneda and Osaka Itami routes has kept overall passenger numbers at levels similar to the previous year.

To attract more tourists, Kumamoto Prefecture has been actively promoting tourism overseas in recent years. In the second half of last year, it held a promotional event at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport introducing Kumamoto's tourism and culinary resources.

Furthermore, Kumamoto Airport has been running Kumamon-themed decorations and promotions. Since October last year, it has been promoting a campaign to change the airport's nickname to "Aso Kumamon Airport." Due to an enthusiastic response both domestically and internationally, the campaign period has been extended by about three months from its original schedule, continuing until the end of June this year.

Kumamoto International Airport Co. stated, "Many travelers, after discovering Kumamoto's charm, visit again. We will continue to strengthen existing routes, especially international ones, and actively promote the opening of new routes in East Asia."