QATAR/INTERNATIONAL. Hamad International Airport (HIA) has been named ‘World’s Best Airport’ at the prestigious 2024 Skytrax World Airport Awards.
Announced at the awards ceremony at the Passenger Terminal Expo 2024 in Frankfurt, Germany, the Doha travel hub also clinched ‘World’s Best Airport Shopping’ for the second time in a row and ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’ for the tenth consecutive year.
Istanbul Airport’s excellence in the food & beverage field was rewarded by Skytrack with the honour of ‘Best Airport Dining Experience’.
In the World’s Best Airport category, HIA beat off competition from last year’s best airport winner Singapore Changi Airport, which this time secured second place, while Incheon International Airport claimed third place. This is the third HIA victory in the category over the past four years, the other victories coming in 2021 and 2022.
Other notable award winners included Crowne Plaza Changi Airport (World’s Best Airport Hotel); Newark Liberty International Airport – Terminal A (Best New Airport Terminal); and Houston Airport System (World’s Best Art in the Airport).
In the World’s Best Airport by passenger numbers, the winners were Centrair Nagoya (5-10 million passengers); Helsinki-Vantaa (10-20 million); Zurich (20-30 million); Tokyo Narita (30-40 million); HIA (40-50 million); Singapore Changi (50-60 million); Paris Charles de Gaulle (60-70 million); and Tokyo Haneda (70+ million).
Skytrax World Airport Awards winners are calculated from data gleaned through air traveller surveys.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said: “This is a remarkable achievement for Hamad International Airport, as it celebrates its tenth anniversary of operational excellence, connecting passengers seamlessly from all around the world.
“It is a testament to the dedication of our team and partners, who have contributed to providing passengers with the finest travel experience.
“Our continuous investment in our facilities and pioneering initiatives in retail and hospitality within a single expansive terminal has made this achievement possible.”
Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer emphasised the importance of understanding passengers’ needs and evolving travel trends in HIA’s success: “At the heart of our growth strategy lies the passengers’ journey, their evolving needs, and our commitment to meeting and exceeding their expectations.
“We have introduced a diverse range of experiences at the airport, including ‘Souq Al Matar’, which brings Qatari hospitality and culture closer to travellers, and ‘Orchard’, the ideal place for relaxation and rejuvenation between flights and an array of high-end lounges.
“We remain dedicated to pushing the boundaries of the industry to maintain our position as the world’s premier airport.” ✈
