SKYTRAX is a UK-Based company that is famous for its yearly ratings on airlines and airports globally, and airlines and airports often rely on it as a selling point for their business. For example, Qatar Airways is ranked as the best airline globally, and they can use this to attract more customers.
Singapore Changi Airport was ranked by SKYTRAX as the world’s best airport in 2000, 2006, 2010, followed by a 7 year run from 2013-2020, and then once again in 2023. As of 2024, it is currently ranked 2nd place, behind Doha airport, which has been first place in 2021, 2022, and 2024. As we can see, from 2020 to this present day, there has been constant fluctuation between 2020 and 2024, breaking Changi Airport’s 7 year run. Doha Airport is a relatively new airport, opening in 2014, meanwhile Changi Airport has been open yet consistently developing since 1981, which does create a disadvantage for Changi.
One of Singapore’s most notable landmarks is the jewel at Changi Airport, which opened in 2019. Qatar later on announced an expansion of Doha Airport, featuring a suspiciously similar glass dome shape, an indoor waterfall and luscious greenery. This raised some concern among the public, however Qatar Airways CEO fought back and claimed that their design was thought of well before Changi, however there is no official proof of which one was an original design, and it could even be that both were thought of at similar times.
Changi Airport is constantly trying to improve their airport, for example, during the COVID pandemic, took advantage of the lack of air traffic to renovate their second terminal, which was rather outdated but is now one of the newest-looking terminal at Changi. They have also been actively renovating their oldest terminal, T1, and connecting it to their new jewel.
With the new year coming up, it will be interesting to see who will win, with Doha’s increasing streaks of being the world’s best airport, and also with Changi’s consistent and active improvements for what used to be the world’s best airport for 7 years in a row.
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