Doha’s Hamad International Crowned World’s Best at 2024 ‘Airport Oscars’

Doha’s Hamad International (HIA) has been crowned the World’s Best Airport 2024 in this year’s Skytrax awards.

The airport, home to a 6,000-square-metre indoor tropical garden, was also named World’s Best Airport Shopping and Best Airport in the Middle East in what has been dubbed the ‘Oscars’ of the industry.

It pushed 2023’s winner Singapore’s Changi Airport, which has also held the title 12 times previously, off the top spot in the global rankings. Changi won awards for Best Airport in Asia and the World’s Best Airport Immigration Service.

Seoul Incheon Airport moved up to third place and was also named as 2024’s World’s Most Family Friendly Airport.

Tokyo Haneda Airport was number four and won the World’s Cleanest Airport and the World’s Best Domestic Airport. Haneda also clinched World’s Best Airport PRM & Accessible Facilities.

Narita Airport, also in Tokyo, rounded off the top five.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Badr Al Meer, who has spearheaded HIA’s development, said: “This year HIA celebrates its milestone tenth year of operations and we are truly honoured that passengers have voted us Best Airport in the World for a third time.

“We are also delighted to bring home the top awards for Best Airport Shopping and the Best Airport in the Middle East for the second consecutive and tenth time respectively.

“Skytrax prestigious awards reflect the dedication of our employees who every day help innovating and maintaining our leading position.

“Our talented team is pioneering and committed to deliver excellent passenger experience with industry firsts and one-of-a-kind shopping and dining offerings set amidst our superlative infrastructure which includes the world renowned indoor tropical garden the ‘Orchard.

“We look forward to continuing to surprise and delight passengers by creating memorable and exceptional passenger journeys in the years to come.”

Other highlights from the 2024 ceremony, held at Passenger Terminal Expo in Frankfurt, Germany, include Tokyo Narita Airport being recognised for customer service and named as having the World’s Best Airport Staff and the Best Airport Staff in Asia.

Elsewhere in Japan, New Chitose Airport was voted the World’s Most Improved Airport.

Rome Fiumicino Airport picked up the award for World’s Best Airport Security Processing, while Terminal A at 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.

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport also saw success with its Terminal 3 facility declared the World’s Best Low-Cost Terminal. The airport was also named Best Airport in Europe for a second successive year.

Paris Orly Airport, meanwhile, was voted the Best Regional Airport in Europe, marking a “fantastic performance improvement”.

Munich Airport maintained a “very good” performance in the survey, winning awards for Best Airport Staff Service in Europe and Best Airport in Central Europe. Munich Airport CEO Jost Lammers said: “We are particularly proud that our employees came out on top in Europe. This shows that Munich Airport is also perceived internationally as particularly hospitable. The awards are recognition of the commitment and hard work of our entire airport team.”

Istanbul Airport was voted World’s Best Airport Dining Experience and Best Airport in Southern Europe. Around Europe, Helsinki Vantaa Airport was the Best Airport in Northern Europe, and Budapest Airport was again named Best Airport in Eastern Europe by the passenger vote.

Cape Town Airport and Durban King Shaka Airport were the major award winners in Africa, with Cape Town 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.

Other highlights include Houston Airport System being recognised for providing the World’s Best Airport Art for the second successive year, and Houston Hobby Airport winning Best Regional Airport in North America.

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 World Airport Awards are voted for by customers in “the largest, annual global airport customer satisfaction survey”.

They have taken place annually since 1999 and are said to be the “benchmark for the world airport industry”.

More than 570 airports around the world are surveyed for the quality of their check-in, arrivals, transfers, shopping, security and immigration, and gate departure.

The World’s Top 20 Airports for 2024

1. Doha Hamad Airport
2. Singapore Changi Airport
3. Seoul Incheon Airport
4. Tokyo Haneda Airport
5. Tokyo Narita Airport
6. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
7. Dubai Airport
8. Munich Airport
9. Zurich Airport
10. Istanbul Airport
11. Hong Kong Airport
12. Rome Fiumicino Airport
13. Vienna Airport
14. Helsinki-Vantaa
15. Madrid-Barajas
16. Centrair Nagoya Airport
17. Vancouver Airport
18. Kansai Airport
19. Melbourne Airport
20. Copenhagen Airport