Singapore's Changi dethroned as world's best airport as Doha's Hamad International Airport soars to top spot
Doha's Hamad International Airport is adjudged as the world's best airport according to the list released by a UK-based airline industry consultancy firm.
According to Skytrax, the Qatar airport ascended from third place last year to the top, thanks to its continuing development and health and safety measures in response to the pandemic.
“Inaugurated in 2014, Hamad International Airport has rapidly become a customer favorite and moved from number 3 in the world in 2020 to be ranked World's Best Airport this year,” Skytrax CEO Edward Plaisted commented.
“As travel hubs worldwide have been impacted by the pandemic, Hamad International Airport was undeterred by the global travel disruptions and continued with its expansion plans while introducing additional airport health and safety standards.”
Hamad International Airport also emerged as Best Airport in the Middle East, the World's Best Airport in the 25 to 35 million Passenger category and the Best Airport Staff in the Middle East.
By taking the top spot, Hamad International Airport dethroned perennial favorite Singapore's Changi Airport, which settled for third spot behind Japan's Tokyo Haneda Airport.
It's worth noting that Changi Airport has ruled the list for eight consecutive years prior to this latest ranking.
The World Airport Awards rely on votes from customers based on a global airport satisfaction survey conducted from August 2020 until July 2021.
Here's the full list of the top 10 in the "World's Best Airport" category:
1. Hamad International Airport (HIA)
2. Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)
3. Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)
4. Incheon International Airport (ICN)
5. Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT)
6. Munich Airport (MUC)
7. Zurich Airport (ZRH)
8. London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
9. Kansai International Airport (KIX)
10. Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
Skytrax acknowledged the crippling effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in the airport industry and the travel and tourism sector as a whole.
“The 2021 World Airport Awards recognize the efforts of global airports in adapting and meeting the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic,” it said.
“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.”
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