It is built on an artificial island in the western Seto Inland Sea, 3 km (1.9 mi) away from the city's downtown.

The former Kitakyushu Airport had restrictions on aircraft operation due to its small size and location, close to mountains and residential areas.

There were similar problems at the nearby Fukuoka Airport, which cannot engage in nighttime operations due to proximity to residential areas.

Large cargo planes can use the airport, making possible convenient freight movement to and from nearby industrial zones.

A Korean low-cost carrier, Jeju Air, flew eight charter flights from Kitakyushu to Incheon International Airport in summer 2008.