QATAR. Hamad International Airport (HIA) has been named ‘Best Airport in the World’ for the second consecutive year at the prestigious Skytrax World Airport Awards 2022, hosted during the Passenger Terminal Expo in Paris, France.
The Doha gateway airport also retained its title as the ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’ for the eighth year in a row (we will bring you the full Skytrax results in a separate report). According to Passenger Terminal Today, other major winners on the night included Singapore Changi Airport (World’s Best Airport Staff Service and the World’s Best Airport Dining); Istanbul Airport (World’s Best Airport Shopping and Most Family Friendly Airport).
King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia secured the award as the World’s Most Improved Airport. Brisbane Airport was voted Best Airport in Australia/Pacific We will bring you full results in a separate story.
The rankings were based on voting submitted by air travellers and passenger satisfaction surveys across 39 key performance indicators for airport services and products including check-in, arrivals, transfers, shopping, security, immigration, and departure. HIA was announced the #1 airport among 550 other global airports.
Hamad International Airport Chief Operating Officer Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said: “We are thrilled that Qatar’s main gateway to the world has once again been named the world`s best airport at the SKYTRAX 2022 World Airport Awards – adding another milestone achievement to HIA’s history.
“Our commitment and service excellence continues to be a benchmark in the aviation industry thanks to our staff and stakeholders’ commitment and dedication – as we all look forward towards an even brighter year ahead.”
HIA is the official airport partner of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. It has witnessed a promising start to the year, welcoming some 7.14 million passengers in the first quarter alone. HIA has this year introduced three new passenger destinations to take the number it serves to 156, while also partnering with more than 36 airline partners.
Skytrax CEO Edward Plaisted said: “We are delighted to announce that Hamad International Airport has been voted the World’s Best Airport for 2022, repeating their success of 2021. Our congratulations go to the management, staff and stakeholders at Hamad International Airport who have all contributed to this achievement for the second year running.
“Whilst airports worldwide continued to be impacted by the pandemic throughout 2021, Hamad International Airport served 17.1 million passengers in 2021 and continued with its expansion plans. As the official airport partner for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 we wish Hamad International Airport every success in helping to host this major event.”
Cannes on steroids and gobsmacked in an airport wonderland The expansion will feature 380 trees (and we are talking seriously big trees, many already in place); 26,000 shrubs; a waterfall; and a dazzling array of retail and food & beverage experiences, the likes of which I promise you the airport world has never seen. |
As the State of Qatar prepares to welcome the world for the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, HIA is at the epicentre of the preparations.
The airport’s phase A expansion, which is well underway, will boost annual passenger capacity to over 58 million. HIA’s phase B expansion will then begin in early 2023 and will boost the capacity to over 60 million passengers.
HIA said: “Working with FIFA’s organisational committee to provide hundreds of thousands of tourists and new visitors a safe, pleasant and trouble-free experience, the two-time SKYTRAX #1 airport promises travellers a journey like no other.”
HIA said that its top priority remains in ensuring a safe and enjoyable passenger experience, with a decreased waiting time at all airport touchpoints. It also pledged to stay up to date with cutting-edge technology and automation tools.
