In 2018, Typhoon Jebi hit the Kansai International Airport, exposing critical vulnerabilities of coastal airports in Japan. The airport, built on an artificial island in Osaka Bay, was inundated with flood water, stranding over 8,000 passengers and staff for nearly 36 hours.
In this case study, Zhang discusses how the typhoon greatly impacted and damaged airport infrastructure, highlighting an early warning for airports facing climate-related threats. Zhang notes that similar disasters and damages will continue without proactive adaptations, risking loss of life and heavy financial losses.