On August 6, Nankai Electric Railway decided to introduce the next-generation Airport Express trains on the Naniwa-suji Line. The company will collaborate with Pininfarina, an Italian firm known for its automotive designs—including those for Ferrari—as its partner for the train’s design. This marks the first time the company has been involved in the design of Japanese railway rolling stock.
The Airport Express “Rapit,” which currently connects Namba in Osaka with Kansai International Airport, began operation in September 1994 to coincide with the opening of Kansai International Airport. Designed by the late architect Hiroyuki Wakabayashi based on the “retro-futuristic” concept, it has been a beloved fixture for many years and has carried a total of approximately 76 million passengers (as of the end of June 2026).
Pininfarina, selected as the design partner, was founded in 1930. The firm has designed more than 1,450 models for renowned automakers such as Ferrari, Maserati, Rolls-Royce, and Honda, and in the railway sector, it has a track record that includes Italy’s high-speed train, the “ETR500,” and the “Eurostar e320,” which connects London and Paris.
It has been announced that the next-generation airport express trains will feature the Pininfarina emblem, which is recognized worldwide as a symbol of exceptional Italian design. Further details regarding the train design and concept will be released in due course.
Kansai High-Speed Railway is moving forward with construction of the “Naniwa-suji Line,” which will connect Osaka Station (Umekita Area) to (tentatively named) Nishi-Honmachi Station to Nankai Shin-Imamiya Station/JR Namba Station, with the goal of opening in 2031. Once operational, JR West and Nankai Electric Railway will be responsible for operations.
© Source travel watch