The typhoon that crippled Kansai International Airport and left thousands of passengers stranded at the facility has exposed the vulnerability of airports built offshore, while also highlighting the challenges facing airport operators in delivering the kind of information the public needs during emergencies.
Japan's third-busiest airport, located on a man-made island in Osaka Bay, was flooded Tuesday by high storm tides caused by Typhoon Jebi. A bridge providing the only road and rail access to the airport from the mainland was also severely damaged after a 2,591-ton tanker slammed into the bridge after being swept away by strong winds and waves.
Up to about 7,800 passengers and employees were believed to have stayed overnight at the terminal buildings and nearby hotel conference halls. Many were transported by high-speed boats from the island on Wednesday.