Doha’s Hamad International Airport has been named the World’s Best Airport at the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2024, aka ‘the Oscars of the airport industry’.
The airport, home to a 6,000-square-metre indoor tropical garden and which offers unlimited free Wi-Fi, also takes home the gong for World’s Best Airport Shopping.
It previously won the top prize in 2021 and 2022, with Singapore Changi Airport crowned the world’s best in 2023 and occupying the silver-medal position overall this year.
Seoul Incheon Airport comes third in the global ranking and picks up the award for World’s Most Family Friendly Airport. Rounding off the top five is Tokyo Haneda and Tokyo Narita.
Airports in the UK and the USA are conspicuous by their absence, with both countries failing to make the top 20, though Newark Liberty Airport – Terminal A takes home the prize for World’s Best New Airport Terminal, Houston Airport System snares World’s Best Airport Art and Entertainment, and Heathrow Airport ranks a fairly respectable 21 in the overall global list – out of 597 airports worldwide.
Still, the fact that the UK – regarded as a pioneer of air travel – doesn’t muster a single prize in any category will be seen as shocking by many flyers.
‘This year, Hamad International Airport celebrates its milestone tenth year of operations and we are truly honoured that passengers have voted us Best Airport in the World for a third time,’ said Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Badr Al Meer. ‘We are also delighted to bring home the top awards for Best Airport Shopping and the Best Airport in the Middle East for the second consecutive and tenth time, respectively. Skytrax’s prestigious awards reflect the dedication of our employees who, every day, help innovate and maintain our leading position.
‘Our talented team is pioneering and committed to delivering an excellent passenger experience with industry firsts and one-of-a-kind shopping and dining offerings set amidst our superlative infrastructure, which includes the world-renowned indoor tropical garden, the “Orchard”. We look forward to continuing to surprise and delight passengers by creating memorable and exceptional passenger journeys in the years to come.’
Other highlights from the 2024 ceremony, held at Passenger Terminal Expo in Frankfurt, include Tokyo Narita Airport being recognised for customer service and named as having the World’s Best Airport Staff and the Best Airport Staff in Asia, and elsewhere in Japan, New Chitose Airport has been voted as the World’s Most Improved Airport.
Dallas Fort-Worth Airport is a first-time winner in the World Airport Awards after being recognised as providing the Best Airport Staff Service in North America, and Vancouver International Airport returns to the top of the region ranking – it’s named the Best Airport in North America once again. The TWA Hotel JFK has been voted by passengers as the Best Airport Hotel in North America.
Crowne Plaza Changi Airport wins the award for World’s Best Airport Hotel for the ninth time in the awards’ history and is also the Best Airport Hotel in Asia.
Rome Fiumicino Airport picks up the award for the World’s Best Airport Security Processing for the first time and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, run by Group ADP, has impressed, with its Terminal 3 facility declared the World’s Best Low-Cost Terminal, and the airport judged to be the Best Airport in Europe for a second successive year.
What’s more, Paris Orly Airport, also run by Group ADP, has been voted by passengers as the Best Regional Airport in Europe.
Istanbul Airport takes home World’s Best Airport Dining Experience and is also named as the Best Airport in Southern Europe. Helsinki Vantaa Airport has been named Best Airport in Northern Europe, and Budapest Airport is once again nominated as the Best Airport in Eastern Europe by the passenger vote.
Munich Airport is recognised as providing the Best Airport Staff Service in Europe, and also being the Best Airport in Central Europe. In another win for the hub, the Hilton Munich Airport has been voted as the Best Airport Hotel in Europe for 2024.
Down under, the fizz will be flowing in Melbourne Airport, recognised as the best in the Australia and Pacific region, with Perth also having cause for celebrations – it claims the honours for Best Airport Staff in Australia & Pacific.
Cape Town Airport and Durban King Shaka Airport are the major award winners in Africa, as Cape Town has been voted as the Best Airport in Africa and is also acknowledged as having the Best Airport Staff Service in Africa. King Shaka Airport is, again, the Best Regional Airport in Africa.
The World Airport Awards are voted for by customers in ‘the largest, annual global airport customer satisfaction survey’.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/articles.rss
Ted Thornhill
