However, accompanied by the opening of Kansai International Airport, an increased number of trains on the Osaka Loop Line running directly through the Hanwa Line (with the introduction of Kanku Rapid Service and the Haruka (train)) made it impossible for trains to pass each other using the island platform at Tennoji.
しかし、関西国際空港開港に伴う大阪環状線-阪和線直通列車の増発（関空快速、はるか(列車)の登場）によって天王寺では緩急接続が頻繁にできなくなった。