Singapore Changi Airport was named the World’s Best Airport in 2023 in the World Airport Awards held at Passenger Terminal Expo in Amsterdam on 15th March 2023. Changi Airport also won awards for the World’s Best Airport Dining and World’s Best Airport Leisure Amenities.
Mister Lee Seow Hiang, Chief Executive Officer of Changi Airport Group, said: “Changi Airport is honoured to be named World’s Best Airport for the 12th time. This recognition is a great encouragement to our airport community, who stood firmly together to battle the challenges of Covid-19 over the past two years. We thank them for their dedication to serving Changi’s passengers and their perseverance in keeping Singapore connected to the world. To our passengers, we are deeply grateful for your vote of confidence. Your continued support encourages us to pursue service excellence as we expand our offerings to redefine the Changi experience. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Changi Airport as we rediscover the magic of travel again.”
The 2021 and 2022 Airport of the Year, Hamad International Airport, Doha, took 2nd place in the global ranking and won three top awards for the World’s Best Airport Shopping, the Best Airport in the Middle East and the Cleanest Airport in the Middle East.
Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, Chief Operating Officer at Hamad International Airport, said: “We are delighted to collect these accolades by the prestigious Skytrax World Airport Awards. We will continue to strive to provide our passengers with an exceptional travel experience and provide our partners with the best facility and unmatched service. We stay committed to our growth plans and maintaining the highest standards in the global travel industry.”
Tokyo Haneda Airport, No 3 in the global ranking, continued its previous year’s successes winning awards as the World’s Cleanest Airport, the World’s Best Domestic Airport and the Best Airport PRM & Accessible Facilities.
Seoul’s Incheon Airport ranked No 4 globally and won awards for the World’s Best Airport Staff Service, the World’s Best Airport Immigration Processing, and Best Airport Staff in Asia.
Amongst other global Award winners, Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport was named the World’s Most Improved Airport, and Chubu Centrair International Airport, Nagoya, won the World’s Best Regional Airport award, with Centrair’s Terminal 2 receiving the Best Low-Cost Airline Terminal award.
Crowne Plaza Changi Airport won the World’s Best Airport Hotel award, this achievement for a remarkable eighth consecutive year.
Zurich Airport repeated its success, winning the World’s Best Airport Security Processing award, and Bahrain International Airport took top honours with the award for the World’s Best Airport Baggage Delivery.
Terminal B, LaGuardia Airport received the World’s Best New Airport Terminal award on the same day that this new Terminal B received the highest 5-Star Airport Terminal Rating from Skytrax.
“Our goal at the Port Authority was to completely transform the customer experience at LaGuardia, from curb to gate, by building a brand-new, world-class airport,” said Rick Cotton, Executive Director of the Port Authority. “Winning this prestigious award and becoming the first North American airport terminal to receive a 5-star rating from Skytrax proves that we have accomplished what many once said was impossible: elevate LaGuardia from worst to best.”
Paris CDG Airport was named the Best Airport in Europe, with Munich Airport winning the Best Airport Staff Service in Europe award and the Best Airport in Central Europe.
Helsinki Airport was a repeat winner of the Best Airport in Northern Europe award. “We are proud that our passengers have once again chosen Helsinki Airport as the best airport in Northern Europe. Our airport continues to have a strong position among the best airports in the world,” says Ulla Lettijeff, Director of Helsinki Airport at Finavia.
Istanbul Airport won the Most Family Friendly Airport awards and Best Airport in Southern Europe.
Bahrain International Airport received two awards, the World’s Best Airport for Baggage Delivery and the Best Airport Staff in the Middle East. Gulf Air Group Chairman, His Excellency Zayed R. Al Zayani said: “We are honoured to be recognised for the quality of our services and our commitment to ensuring that all passengers enjoy a hassle-free travel experience. BIA is the central asset of the Kingdom of Bahrain’s aviation sector. Awards such as these demonstrate the efficacy of our aviation strategy and reinforce our position as a leading regional and global aviation hub. Backed by state-of-the-art facilities and a highly skilled team that provides the highest service levels, BIA celebrates Bahrain’s rich heritage and spotlights our warm hospitality to the world.”
Bahrain Airport Company Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah said: “The baggage handling department plays a key role in making the airport experience as seamless as possible for passengers. Although passengers may not see all the hard work and attention to detail that goes into this process, we are pleased that they appreciate a job well done. While our advanced facilities play a key role, having an outstanding team is crucial to deliver a safe, efficient, and memorable airport experience. Customers are at the centre of our daily operations, and wherever their onward journeys take them, our goal is to ensure the time they spend at BIA is convenient and enjoyable.”
A new award for 2023, Skytrax introduced the Art in the Airport category for the first time, with the winning airport being Houston Airport System in recognition of the art standards across their two airports, William P. Hobby Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport. For this 2023 Art in the Airport, the results are based on the Skytrax judging panel, not customer survey results.
“Houston Airports is relentless in its quest to create a global air service gateway where the magic of flight is celebrated. We’ve thoughtfully invested in and curated works of art representative of our city and the greater global community we diligently work to serve,” said Mario Diaz, Director of Aviation for Houston Airports. “It is an honour to know our unique visual and performing arts experience resonates with customers and Skytrax. Art is magical, and with imagination and innovation, the magic of art inspires Houston Airports to elevate the world’s best art experience to new heights.”
Elsewhere in North America, Seattle–Tacoma International Airport won the Best Airport in North America award.
Montréal–Trudeau International Airport received the award for Best Airport Staff in North America. “With a strong recovery in aviation activity in 2022 creating many challenges for our industry, I am very proud that the excellent work of employees in our airport community has been recognised. YUL has distinguished itself for many years by how it welcomes people and its commitment to championing the passenger experience. So winning this award twice in the last five years is no accident. To the more than 13,000 people who are dedicated to serving passengers every day and who, above all, have continued to smile during the most difficult times over the past year, I say thank you and, above all, bravo,” said Philippe Rainville, President and CEO of ADM.
In South America, Bogota’s El Dorado International Airport won the Best Airport in South America award. According to Natalí Leal, General Manager of Opain, the operating company of the Bogotá airport, “Receiving this recognition is a source of immense pride and satisfaction for all the people, companies and entities that work tirelessly to make the operation of El Dorado possible. With this recognition, for the second consecutive year, we continue to consolidate the airport of all Colombians as a point of reference in the region. We will continue working with excellence and dedication to offering exceptional service to the more than 36 million passengers that pass through our terminal.”
Quito International Airport received awards as the Best Regional Airport in South America and the Best Airport Staff in South America. Ramón Miró, CEO of Quiport, said: “Maintaining leadership in the region is a huge responsibility, and we are committed to finding improvement opportunities and adequately understanding our passengers’ expectations. We are proud to receive these awards from Skytrax, which show that in Ecuador, we can provide an airport service with high levels of excellence and, above all, with the warmth that characterises Ecuadorians. I thank all the companies and institutions that work at the Quito International Airport because this award belongs to all of them.”
San José’s Juan Santamaría International Airport took top honours by winning the Best Regional Airport in Central America & Caribbean awards and Best Airport Staff in Central America & Caribbean. In Africa, Cape Town International Airport continues its multi-year success by winning the Best Airport in Africa and Best Airport Staff in Africa awards.
In the Australia / Pacific region, Melbourne Airport won the awards for the Best Airport in Australia & Pacific and the Best Airport Staff in Australia & Pacific.
Gold Coast Airport won the award as the Best Regional Airport in Australia & Pacific. Queensland Airports Limited Chief Executive Officer Amelia Evans congratulated all the team working at Gold Coast Airport. “To win this award for the fifth time is a credit to the more than 2,200 team members who work at Gold Coast Airport, including our airline and retail partners,” Ms Evans said. “What makes these awards so special is that we don’t self-nominate, it’s based on direct feedback from the travelling public, so it’s the best indicator of our performance from a customer experience point of view. The recognition that comes with awards at this level puts Gold Coast Airport in the spotlight and places the Gold Coast and Northern New South Wales communities on the world stage. This has been particularly exciting for Gold Coast Airport, with our new international terminal now open and new global connections on the horizon.”
Delhi Airport was awarded the Best Airport in India/South Asia. The CEO of Delhi International Airport, Mr Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, said: “It is the hard work and dedication of all the stakeholders which has helped Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) attain this unique feat. This acclamation by Skytrax reinforces DIAL’s commitment to constantly work towards bettering passenger experience while developing sustainable and environment-friendly infrastructure at Delhi Airport.”
Hyderabad Airport won an award as the Best Regional Airport in India & South Asia and for the Best Airport Staff in India & South Asia. Commenting on the achievement, Mr Pradeep Panicker, CEO-GHIAL, said, “We are thrilled to receive this award and be recognised for our commitment to providing an exceptional travel experience for our passengers. This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our airport staff, stakeholders and partners working at Hyderabad Airport, who have worked relentlessly to deliver world-class services to our passengers. This recognition motivates us to continue innovating and improving airport experiences, reinforcing our commitment to providing a safe and seamless experience for all.”
In China, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport won the Best Airport in China award, with Haikou Meilan International Airport winning an award for the Best Regional Airport in China and the Best Airport Staff in China. The Hyatt Regency Shenzhen Airport was named the Best Airport Hotel in China.
Edward Plaisted of Skytrax said: “We congratulate Singapore Changi Airport on being named the World’s Best Airport for 2023. After being severely hit during the Covid-19 pandemic, it is pleasing to note that passenger numbers at Changi Airport are now at about 80 per cent of pre-Covid-19 levels and are expected to return to pre-pandemic levels by 2024. This recognition for Changi Airport is from the airport customers and underlines the airport’s popularity with international air travellers. Winning this award as the World’s Best Airport is a clear recognition of the team effort amongst all staff at the airport who contribute to Changi Airport’s success.”
