Skytrax has announced the world’s best airports and the winner comes as no surprise. We also take look at the many award winners providing the best in passenger service worldwide.
Hamad International Airport - World’s Best Airport 2024
Doha’s Hamad International Airport (HIA) in Qatar was crowned the World’s Best Airport in 2024. It also won the World’s Best Airport Shopping and Best Airport in the Middle East.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Badr Al Meer said: “This year, HIA celebrates its milestone tenth year of operations and we are honoured that passengers have voted us Best Airport in the World for a third time. The awards reflect the dedication of our talented team who every day help are innovating, pioneering and committed to delivering an excellent passenger experience.”
2023 Airport of the Year and 12-times previous winner, Singapore Changi Airport, was second. It also won Best Airport in Asia and the World’s Best Airport Immigration Service awards. Seoul Incheon Airport was third and named the World’s Most Family Friendly Airport.
Fourth, Tokyo Haneda Airport was also named the World’s Cleanest Airport, the World’s Best Domestic Airport and the World’s Best Airport PRM & Accessible Facilities.
The World’s Top 20 Airports for 2024
- Doha Hamad Airport
- Singapore Changi Airport
- Seoul Incheon Airport
- Tokyo Haneda Airport
- Tokyo Narita Airport
- Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
- Dubai Airport
- Munich Airport
- Zurich Airport
- Istanbul Airport
- Hong Kong Airport
- Rome Fiumicino Airport
- Vienna Airport
- Helsinki-Vantaa
- Madrid-Barajas
- Centrair Nagoya Airport
- Vancouver Airport
- Kansai Airport
- Melbourne Airport
- Copenhagen Airport
Other Awards
Asia
Other highlights included Tokyo Narita Airport being recognised for customer service, as they were named the World’s Best Airport Staff and Best Airport Staff in Asia. New Chitose Airport was voted the World’s Most Improved Airport after a much-improved performance.
Chubu Centrair International Airport, Nagoya, won the World’s Best Regional Airport award, and Kansai International Airport was named for the World’s Best Airport Baggage Delivery.
Delhi International Airport was again triumphant as the Best Airport in India & South Asia, and its GMR parent, Hyderabad International Airport, was named Best Airport Staff Service in India & South Asia. Bangalore International Airport won the regional airport award in India & South Asia.
JW Marriott New Delhi Aerocity was the Best Airport Hotel in India & South Asia. Crowne Plaza Changi Airport was named World’s Best Airport Hotel, for the ninth time and also took home the Best Airport Hotel in Asia award.
Baku Heydar Aliyev Airport repeated previous successes, winning awards for Best Airport in Central Asia & CIS and Best Airport Staff Service in Central Asia & CIS. Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport was, for the third time, declared Best Regional Airport in Central Asia & CIS.
In China, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport won the award for Best Airport in China. Haikou Meilan International Airport was voted Best Regional Airport in China and Best Airport Staff in China. The Hyatt Regency Shenzhen was the Best Airport Hotel in China.
Middle East
Bahrain International Airport achieved notable success, recognised for providing the Best Airport Staff Service in the Middle East. Medina Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport was declared Best Regional Airport in the Middle East.
Europe
Rome Fiumicino Airport picked up the award for World’s Best Airport Security Processing, the first time they have received this accolade.
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport’s Terminal 3 was declared the World’s Best Low-Cost Terminal, while the airport was also named Best Airport in Europe for a second successive year. Paris Orly Airport was voted the Best Regional Airport in Europe.
Istanbul Airport was voted the World’s Best Airport Dining Experience and the Best Airport in Southern Europe. Helsinki Vantaa Airport was the Best Airport in Northern Europe, and Budapest Airport was the Best Airport in Eastern Europe. Munich Airport won awards for Best Airport Staff Service in Europe and Best Airport in Central Europe, while the Hilton Munich Airport was voted Best Airport Hotel in Europe.
Africa
Cape Town International was named Best Airport in Africa and Best Airport Staff Service in Africa. Durban King Shaka Airport took home the award for Best Regional Airport in Africa.
North and South Americas
Houston Airport System was recognised as providing the World’s Best Airport Art for the second successive year at the awards. Houston Hobby Airport was declared the Best Regional Airport in North America.
Dallas Fort-Worth Airport was a first time winner after it was recognised as providing the Best Airport Staff Service in North America. Vancouver International Airport returned to the top of the region ranking, being named Best Airport in North America. Terminal A, Newark Liberty Airport achieved success as the World’s Best New Airport Terminal after earlier receiving the highest 5-Star Airport Terminal Rating from Skytrax.
Bogota El Dorado Airport maintained and improved its run of success, taking home awards for Best Airport in South America and Best Airport Staff Service in South America. Quito Mariscal Sucre Airport took top honours as Best Regional Airport in South America.
San Jose Juan Santamaría Airport was declared the Best Regional Airport in Central America & Caribbean, in addition to achieving the Best Airport Staff Service award. Panama Tocumen Airport won Best Airport in Central America & Caribbean.
Australia
Melbourne Airport was named Best Airport in Australia & Pacific for the second successive year. Adelaide Airport won Best Regional Airport in Australia & Pacific and Perth Airport accepted the Best Airport Staff Service in Australia & Pacific award.
The World Airport Awards
Operating since 1999, the Awards are prestigious accolades for the airport industry and are regarded as quality benchmarks for the industry, assessing customer service and facilities across over 570 airports.
The Awards are based on questionnaires completed by over 100 nationalities of airport customers, evaluating customer experience across airport service and product key performance indicators from check in, arrivals, transfers, shopping, security, immigration and departure.
Andy Probert is an experienced freelance business travel journalist and PR specialist.
