After eight consecutive years of taking out the top gong in Skytrax’s World Top 10 Airports Awards, Singapore’s Changi Airport has finally been dislodged from its glittering perch in 2021’s awards. But by whom? Any guesses?
The Skytrax World’s Top 10 Airports awards were voted for by airport customers from across the world during the 2020-2021 World Airport Survey.
Not only has Changi departed from the top of the runway perch after almost a decade, but it slipped to number three on this year’s list.
So who superseded it to arrive in style this year?
Tada! Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar and the home of Qatar Airways has been named the Best Airport in the World for 2021.
The award follows on from Qatar Airways also taking out the AirlineRatings world number one for 2021 spot last month.
Here’s the complete top 10. Which Airports on this list are your favourites?
1. Doha Hamad International Airport
Hamad International Airport is the international airport for Doha, the capital city of Qatar.
As the hub for Qatar Airways, the airport has been described as the most architecturally significant terminal complex in the world, as well as being the most luxurious.
Qatar’s airport was also the first airport in the Middle East and Asia to achieve a 5-Star COVID-19 Airport Safety Rating by Skytrax in 2020.
The audit assessed the effectiveness of HIA’s COVID-19 policies and measures in providing a safe environment for all and recognised the airport’s commitment to operational excellence and passenger well-being.
As Qatar is preparing to welcome thousands of visitors during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, HIA, the Official Airport Partner for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, is ready to create memorable experiences for football fans across the globe.
The airport will host extraordinary fan activations across its terminal and ensure seamless connectivity through the airport.
HIA’s expansion, with its first phase aiming to boost its capacity to accommodate 58 million passengers annually by the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. The second phase will commence post-FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ and will serve 60 million passengers annually.
2. Tokyo Haneda
Tokyo Haneda International Airport is one of the world’s busiest airports and is Japan’s busiest airport being located less than 30 minutes south of central Tokyo.
The airport has three terminals: Terminal 1, Terminal 2 and the International Terminal 3 and is perfect for hopping on the train and Olympics sprinting to downtown Tokyo in no time.
3. Singapore Changi
Singapore Changi Airport is still one of the busiest passenger hubs for Southeast Asia and is renowned for its unrivalled passenger experiences as a ‘mini-city.’
And let’s not forget the insane Changi Jewel. Rising five storeys above ground and five below, Jewel is home to a myriad of breathtaking attractions, over 280 retail and dining outlets and more than a few world-firsts.
4. Seoul Incheon
Incheon International Airport is the largest airport in South Korea and one of the busiest airports in the world. It’s also a former winner of the Airport of the Year title at the World Airport Awards.
5. Tokyo Narita
Tokyo Narita Airport is an international airport serving the Greater Tokyo Area of Japan. Narita serves as the international hub for Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways.
6. Munich
Munich Airport is the second busiest airport in Germany and the secondary hub for Lufthansa German Airlines.
With over 150 retail stores and some 50 places where you can eat and drink, it’s like a city centre, offering travellers and visitors plenty to see and do.
7. Zurich
Zurich Airport is the busiest airport in Switzerland, and is the primary hub of Swiss International Air Lines and is located 12 km from downtown Zurich.
8. London Heathrow
Heathrow Airport is one of the world’s busiest international airports and is the primary hub for British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways.
It has four passenger terminals, reduced to 2 terminals in use during much of 2020.
9. Kansai
Kansai International Airport opened in 1994 and has become an important international hub for Japan, providing one of the largest networks for both domestic and international routes with 24-hour operations.
10. Hong Kong
Hong Kong International Airport is one of the world’s largest passenger and cargo airports and is the hub for Cathay Pacific Airways. The new airport (HKIA) opened in July 1998.
Other winners included Istanbul Airport voted the World’s Most Improved Airport, Changi Airport Singapore awards include the World’s Best Airport Staff, Tokyo Haneda Airport, ranked No 2 in the world, is the World’s Cleanest Airport and Guangzhou Baiyun Airport the World’s Best Airport in the 35 to 45 million passenger category.
In announcing this year’s awards, SkySkytrax admitted that the rankings had been affected by the ongoing pandemic crisis.
“The 2021 World Airport Awards recognise the efforts of global airports in adapting and meeting the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. The past 18 months have been the most challenging and financially difficult period ever experienced by the world air transport industry, and airports have invested to provide the safest possible environment for their customers and staff during the global pandemic.”
It added that “many travellers (are) voting for their favourite/best airport based on pre-pandemic travel experiences, whilst other customers voted after their Covid-19 Airport Experience during the past 12 months”.