After dominating the list for almost ten years, Singapore’s Changi Airport has lost its place as the World’s Best Airport at the 2021 Skytrax World Airport Awards. The prestigious title has been given to Doha’s Hamad International Airport, which climbed up from the third position. Changi Airport fell down two spots to occupy the third position. 

Hamad International Airport, which began passenger operation in 2014, has steadily been climbing the ranks for years. The Qatari government is known for heavily investing in both the Doha airport, and its national carrier, Qatar airways, with great returns. 

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Edward Plaisted of Skytrax, who bestowed the title, says, “Achieving this honour is very much a team effort, and our congratulations go to the Management, staff and stakeholders at Hamad International Airport that help make this happen. As travel hubs worldwide have been impacted by the pandemic, Hamad International Airport was undeterred by the global travel disruptions and continued with its expansion plans while introducing additional airport health and safety standards.”

European and Asian airports dominated the 2021 list, with Japan being voted best overall country for having three airports in the top 10, including the two airports in Tokyo.

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Skytrax World Airport Awards are voted on by customers in a global satisfaction survey that was conducted from August of last, until July 2021.

Here’s the full list of the top 10 in the “World’s Best Airport” category:

1. Hamad International Airport (HIA)

2. Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)

3. Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)

4. Incheon International Airport (ICN)

5. Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT)

6. Munich Airport (MUC)

7. Zurich Airport (ZRH)

8. London Heathrow Airport (LHR)

9. Kansai International Airport (KIX)

10. Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Skytrax created a second list, for airports which followed the new health and hygiene protocols. Instead of ranking them, Skytrax listed  39 airports, in alphabetical order. 

Istanbul Airport was awarded the Most Improved Airport, while Tokyo Haneda was designated the Cleanest Airport. In spite of slipping to third position, Changi Airport was given the Best Airport Staff Award.

Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport was given the 2021 Skytrax World Airport Award for best airport in India and Central Asia. This is the third consecutive year that the international airport has been awarded this designation. No other Indian airport features on the list.