(CNN) – While most of us crave the days when we can actually fly in and out of them again, the world’s top aviation hubs for 2020 have been revealed at the annual Skytrax World Airport Awards.
And in what will be a surprise for practically anyone, Singapore Changi Airport has been crowned the “best airport in the world” for the eighth consecutive year.
Tokyo Haneda airport gained second place and Doha Hamad international airport rose to third place.
The awards, which were voted on by customers in a customer satisfaction survey at global airports, were originally scheduled for April 1 at the Passenger Terminal Expo in Paris, which was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Instead, the 2020 award announcements were made on May 10 through a virtual ceremony that took place live on YouTube.
“After postponing the award announcements for nearly six weeks, we felt it was right to try and give the airport industry a bit of cheer in these difficult times,” said Skytrax CEO Edward Plaisted in a statement.
As in 2019, East Asia dominated this year’s World Airport Awards, with seven of the top 10 airports in 2020 based in the region, including four in Japan.
The top 10 airports in the world in 2020
1. Singapore Changi Airport
2. Tokyo Haneda Airport
3. Hamad International Airport (Doha, Qatar)
4. Incheon International Airport (South Korea)
5. Munich Airport (Germany)
6. Hong Kong international airport
7. Narita International Airport (Tokyo)
8. Chūbu Centrair International Airport (Nagoya, Japan)
9. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
10. Kansai International Airport (Osaka, Japan)
According to Skytrax, customers from over 100 different countries participated in the survey, conducted from September 2019 to February 2020 and covering 550 airports.
Featuring a dramatic donut-shaped exterior framed in steel and glass, the addition of 135,700 square meters (approximately 1.46 million square feet) was designed by the famous architect Moshe Safdie. Jewel’s main attraction is the 40m (about 130ft) HSBC rain vortex, which plunges through a huge oculus in the middle and is classified as the world’s tallest indoor waterfall.
“Changi Airport is honored to receive this statement from our travelers, made possible by the strong support of our airport partners,” said Lee Seow Hiang, CEO of Changi Airport Group in a pre-recorded clip reproduced during the online ceremony.
“This has been a difficult year for all of us. Like everyone else, here in Changi, we continue to do our best to safeguard and protect the health of our travelers, visitors and airport workers. We wish everyone in the international aviation community well. We look forward to better times and soon. ”
Tokyo Haneda is the fifth busiest airport in the world. Yet it delivered 85.6% of flights on time in 2018, making it the world’s most punctual mega airport.
Japan dominates multiple categories
Also in Japan, Osaka Kansai International Airport was awarded the “Best Airport Staff Service in the World”, Nagoya Chūbu Centrair International Airport was awarded the “Best Regional Airport in the World” Award and Narita International Airport. Tokyo has been awarded the “best airport service in the world”.
After moving to South Korea, T2 at Incheon International Airport won the “Best Airport Terminal in the World” award. Singapore’s Crown Plaza Changi Airport has again been awarded the “Best Airport Hotel in the world” and Hong Kong International Airport has won the “Best Airport Immigration in the World” award.
Outside Asia, the award for “The most improved airport in the world” went to Paris Orly airport, while London’s Heathrow airport was awarded the “best airport shopping in the world” and Houston airports have won the “Best airport website and digital services” award.
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