The prestigious airline and airport review and ranking site, Skytrax, based in the United Kingdom, conducts an annual survey of global travelers to compile the list of the world’s best airports. In 2024, the title of the best airport was claimed by the Hamad International Airport (HIA) in Qatar. This airport is renowned for its ultra-modern design, easily navigable terminals, and high-end shopping facilities.
In this year’s global top 20 airport rankings, European airports play a dominant role, with Japanese airports showcasing outstanding performance.
The rankings are based on surveys conducted by Skytrax from August 2023 to March 2024 among airport customers, and the results were announced at the World Airport Awards ceremony held on April 17 in Frankfurt, Germany. Passengers from over 100 countries evaluated the main services of 570 airports worldwide, including check-in and transfer experiences, immigration checks, shopping, and departure procedures.
Replacing last year’s top airport, Singapore Changi Airport (SIN), the Hamad International Airport claimed the top spot this year. It was also recognized as the best airport for shopping globally. The airport is well-known for providing free city tours for passengers with long layovers, which has garnered high praise from survey respondents. It is also home to the Oryx Airport Hotel where visitors can enjoy spa treatments, a squash court, and an 82-foot swimming pool.
Badr Mohammed Al Meer, the CEO of Qatar Airways Group, stated in a press release, “This year, as Hamad International Airport celebrates its milestone 10th year of operation, passengers have voted us as the best airport globally for the third time, and we are extremely honored. We look forward to continuing to create memorable and exceptional journeys for passengers in the coming years, offering surprises and delights.”
In the 2024 best airport rankings, nine of the top 20 airports are located in Europe, including airports in Vienna, Madrid, and Istanbul. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) ranked sixth overall and topped the list among European airports. Ahead of the Paris Olympics this summer, the French capital has invested heavily in upgrading infrastructure, and it seems that this work has paid off.
Terminal 3 at Charles de Gaulle Airport was named the world’s best low-cost terminal, while Paris Orly Airport (ORY) was recognized as the best regional airport in Europe.
Other European airports also received accolades from Skytrax. Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) was awarded the Best Airport Security Processing award globally, Zurich Airport (ZRH) was named the best airport in the category of annual passenger throughput between 20 to 30 million, and Helsinki Vantaa Airport (HEL) ranked highest in the category of annual passenger throughput between 10 to 20 million.
Among the top 20 airports by Skytrax, seven are located in Asia. Tokyo’s two hub airports, Haneda Airport (HND) and Narita Airport (NRT), both made it to the top ten. Haneda Airport ranked fourth, edging out its sibling airport by one position.
Tokyo Haneda was also dubbed the “cleanest airport in the world.” According to Skytrax, Haneda Airport accommodated a passenger throughput of 70 million in 2023, making it the highest-traffic airport among those listed by Skytrax.
As another major international airport in Tokyo, Narita International Airport ranked fifth on this year’s list. The airport was recognized for its customer service and received the title of “Best Airport Staff Worldwide.”
Sapporo New Chitose Airport (CTS) was awarded the World’s Most Improved Airport, while Nagoya Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO) received the Best Airport award in the category of annual passenger throughput between 5 to 10 million.
Serving the Osaka region, Kansai International Airport (KIX) received the Global Best Airport Baggage Delivery award.
In the survey, South Korea’s Incheon International Airport (IIA) also performed well, moving from fourth place in 2023 to third place in the rankings and recognized as the most family-friendly airport globally this year. Meanwhile, Hong Kong Airport made a significant leap from 33rd place in 2023 to 11th place this year.
Here are the top 20 global airports in the 2024 ranking:
1. Hamad International Airport (HIA) – Doha
2. Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) – Singapore
3. Incheon International Airport (ICN) – Seoul
4. Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) – Tokyo
5. Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT) – Tokyo
6. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) – Paris
7. Dubai Airport (DXB) – Dubai
8. Munich Airport (MUC) – Munich
9. Zurich Airport (ZRH) – Zurich
10. Istanbul Airport (IST) – Istanbul
11. Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) – Hong Kong
12. Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) – Rome
13. Vienna Airport (VIE) – Vienna
14. Helsinki Vantaa Airport (HEL) – Helsinki
15. Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD) – Madrid
16. Nagoya Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO) – Nagoya
17. Vancouver Airport (YVR) – Vancouver
18. Kansai Airport (KIX) – Osaka
19. Melbourne Airport (MEL) – Melbourne
20. Copenhagen Airport (CPH) – Copenhagen
(Reference: CNN)
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