Changi loses crown as best airport in the world
Credit: Hamad International Airport
Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, has been voted the Best Airport in the World at the Skytrax 2021 World Airport Awards, ending Singapore Changi Airport’s eight-year reign at the top.
This year, the World Airport Awards have recognized the efforts of global airports in adapting and meeting the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, with the past 18 months officially recognized as the most financially difficult period on record.
Airports across the globe have invested to provide the safest possible environment for their customers and staff during the pandemic, although events have impacted some regions and airports more than others, with many areas having few, if any, international routes operating for more than a year.
Singapore Changi Airport falls from top spot as world's best airports for 2021 revealed
World's best airports, 2021: The annual Skytrax World Airport Awards have been revealed
For the first time in nearly a decade, Singapore's Changi Airport has lost its place at the top of Skytrax's annual ranking of the world's best airports at the World Airport Awards.
Doha's Hamad International Airport, which has been climbing the ranks for years, has been rewarded with the number one spot in 2021 in the "World's Best Airport" category. Doha's ascendance coincides with hard work from its flagship airline, Qatar Airways. The Qatari government has invested heavily in both its national carrier and its airport, with pretty spectacular results.
This year, Changi placed third -- an achievement for any other airport, but perhaps not from the perspective of its superfans, who regularly praise the airport's ease, comfort and top-notch food and drink options.
Changi Airport registers first net loss amid dip in passenger numbers owing to Covid-19
CAG has been especially hard hit due to the absence of a domestic air travel market in S'pore. FOTO: ST FILE
Changi Airport sunk into the red for the first time in the financial year ended March 31, with only 1.1 million passengers passing through its gates as the Covid-19 pandemic wreaks havoc on air travel.
It represented a 98 per cent drop in passenger traffic from the previous year.
The net loss attributable to shareholder was $954 million, down from the $435 million profit in financial year 2019/20.
QATAR AIRWAYS, THE WORLD’S BEST AIRLINE IN 2021
AirlineRatings.com has announced along with its Airline Excellence Awards its 20 Top Airlines in the World for 2021
Heading the list is Qatar Airways followed by Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Virgin Atlantic, United Airlines, EVA Air, British Airways, Lufthansa, ANA, Finnair, Japan Air Lines, KLM, Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Virgin Australia, Delta Air Lines, and Etihad Airways.
To be named in the top twenty, airlines must achieve a seven-star safety rating and demonstrate leadership in innovation for passenger comfort. Qatar Airways was ranked number 1 because of its cabin innovation, passenger service, and its dedication and commitment to continue to operate throughout the COVID pandemic. The airline has a host of industry firsts. First to complete IATA’s important IOSA safety audit, first to be fully COVID audited and compliant by both AirlineRatings and Skytrax, and amongst the first to trial IATA’s COVID Safe Travel Pass.
Air New Zealand which took the second position in the Top Twenty, is always at the forefront of airline awards because of its constant innovation and industry leadership. In third position is Singapore Airlines which continues to excel in technology innovation and in-flight products. The airline also took at Best First Class.
Airport of the Year Winners
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