NO matter what list you use for the world’s top airports, Asian ones feature at the top of these lists year after year. What’s remarkable about these airports is not just their quality and facilities, but they have some of the largest passenger numbers passing through and yet they retain such a high level of service, cleanliness and luxury.
In fact in the 2011 report compiled by Skytrax, four out of the top five airports were in Asia. Using their list as a guide let’s take a look at the first five in the top 10 that are in this Asia/Pacific region.
Hong Kong International Airport
Moving up from third place in 2010 to the number one spot in 2011, is the 13-year-old Hong Kong airport. It’s the third busiest airport in the world, taking care of some 50.9 million passengers a year, which makes its service and excellence just that much more impressive. And Hong Kong is not just content to sit on its laurels, it plans to add another 20 gates over the coming decade. You can also play golf here during your layovers. And its washrooms (#3) and dining (#3) also rate.
Hong Kong airport. Pic: businessinsider.com
Singapore Changi Airport
Moving down from first place in 2010 to second place in 2011 is an airport that manages to move seven times the size of its population through its airport every year. Changi Airport is known for its shopping and boasts 40,000 square metres of commercial space. So if you have a layover of any length of time you can shop (#2) and eat (#1) to your hearts content. There’s also a fitness centre, swimming pool, a slide and nature trail at this airport. I can see people reading this list planning their next trip through Changi just to see these additional facilities.
Singapore's Changi Airport. Pic: businessinsider.com
Incheon International Airport, South Korea
It’s probably hardly surprising this airport rates for security (#3), cleanliness (#1) and washrooms (#2). The enormous airport serves over 70 airlines and 30,000,000 passengers. If you find yourself here don’t forget to check out the golf course, spa, sleeping rooms, the casino, gardens, ice skating rink and museum. So much to do, you might just need a longer layover. Incheon rates number three in the list, down from number two in 2010.
Beijing Capital International Airport
Beijing was beaten for the fourth spot by Munich in the 2011 listings which means Asian airports did take the top three spots. Not surprising this airport is the busiest in Asia, jetting 78 million people a year through its doors. It ranks #2 for its immigration service.
Beijing International Airport. Pic: businessinsider.com
Auckland International Airport
Hopping into eighth spot, but fifth on the Asian list, is the rather smaller Auckland airport serving 20 airlines and 13 million passengers a year. While it might be in little old Kiwiland it is the second busiest international airport in the Pacific region so it’s no mean feat to be in the top 10 in the world. And it’s improving, up from ninth in 2010. Watch out for the airport staff excellence, it ranks three in the world here.
Auckland International Airport. Pic: businessinsider.com
Kuala Lumpur International Airport
Ahh, a place dear to my heart and an airport I pass through about a dozen times a year. So I make up a good amount of the stats that include 29,700,000 people that utilise the KLIA terminal. What’s good about this airport? Well apparently their immigration service is tops with a number one ranking. They also have excellent transfer services via train and bus to the city. And the airport is considered one of Asia’s main destination hubs with a concept “Airport in the forest, forest in the airport” with plenty of green space around about. The great thing too is that if you are at LCCT with a significant layover, it’s possible to shoot over to KLIA and utilise the services there and then return for your flight. KLIA has gone down from number five in the rankings of 2010 to number 9 in 2011.
Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Pic: businessinsider.com
