Changi Airport: World’s Best Airport for the 12th Time

Changi Airport has been named the world’s best airport for the 12th time by London-based research firm Skytrax. It regained its crown after losing out in 2021 and 2022 amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The airport was also named best in Asia, best in the world for leisure amenities, and best in the world for airport dining at the 2023 World Airport Awards ceremony. Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, came in second overall, followed by Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan. Meanwhile, Crowne Plaza Changi Airport bagged the world’s best airport hotel title for the eighth year in a row.

Before the start of the pandemic, Changi Airport was the world’s seventh busiest in terms of international passenger traffic, managing a record 68.3 million passenger movements in 2019.

Top 10 airports for 2023 are:

 

1. Singapore Changi Airport

2. Hamad International Airport (Doha)

3. Tokyo International Airport (Haneda)

4. Incheon International Airport

5. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport

6. Istanbul Airport

7. Munich Airport

8. Zurich Airport

9. Narita International Airport

10. Madrid-Barajas Airport

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org

But what makes Changi Airport so well-loved by travellers, customers, and even the airport’s employees? Here are some of the reasons:

• Exceptional terminal operations

• Exemplary retail and dining experience

• Top-notch safety and security systems

• Outstanding engineering

• A commitment to sustainability

There are plenty of activities that regular consumers can take part while visiting Changi Airport. Travellers who are leaving, arriving, or changing planes through the airport can expect modern conveniences and smooth transactions during their short stay. The airport has a sensible architecture and there are signs that clearly point first-time visitors in the direction of their destination. 

Aside from serving as an aviation hub, the airport also hosts a wide range of shops and restaurants. At the heart of this retail experience is Jewel Changi Airport, a nature-inspired lifestyle hub that’s connected to Terminals 1, 2, and 3. It hosts boutique shops, restaurants, and an array of services and attractions that draw in consumers and retailers alike.

Changi Airport operates like a well-oiled machine, but it also prides itself on its high safety and security standards. The airport is prepared to respond to accidents and emergencies within and around its premises in under 3 minute.

Much like the rest of Singapore, Changi Airport is master-planned for the future. The airport continues to pave the way for technologies that will make air travel much safer, more convenient, and more economical for airlines and their passengers. 

While the airport is quick to adopt engineering and aviation breakthroughs, it also remains committed to sustainability and coexisting with nature. There’s an Energy and Emissions Management team that keeps track of the facility’s emissions and employs strategies to minimise the impact of the airport’s operation on the environment. 

Sometimes I wonder why we have difficulty in copying the best, especially when they are so close. One of the things we could do is to have a weekly innovation or improvements group that challenges actively accepted norms, whether that includes aerotrains, walkalators, immigration, baggage system, or visitor reception and amenities. Then we need champions to put the changes in place.

References:

Changi Airport regains crown, named world’s best airport for 12th time, The Star, 16 March 2023

Top 5 reasons Changi Airport is the best in the world, Adrian, www.superadrianme.com, 22 Nov 2021