Qatar’s Hamad International Airport named best in the world

The airport received the accolade from Skytrax World Airport Awards 2021 and was also recognised for Covid-19 Airport Excellence

Doha-based Hamad International Airport (HIA) has been named ‘Best Airport in the World’ at the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2021.

This award marks the airport’s move from third to first place in the global rankings. HIA has also been named the ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’, ‘Best Airport with 25 to 35 million Passengers’, ‘Best Airport Staff in the Middle East’ and ‘Covid-19 Airport Excellence’.

HIA chief operating officer Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said: “It is with great pride that we announce that Qatar’s Hamad International Airport has been named the world’s best airport at the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2021. This is not only a remarkable achievement for HIA and the State of Qatar, but an endorsement from our travellers for our commitment to service excellence. As we look towards the future, HIA remains devoted to boosting our efforts in providing the best airport experience to all our passengers.”

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Edward Plaisted of Skytrax said: “Hamad International Airport has rapidly become a customer favourite and moved from number three in the world in 2020 to be ranked the world’s best airport this year. 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. As the Official Airport Partner for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, we wish Hamad International Airport every success in helping to host such a major event.”

HIA was able to adapt to the magnitude of the global health crisis early on and accommodated changing traveller needs for increased sanitisation measures and contactless services. The airport retrofitted key passenger touchpoints, such as self-check-in, self-bag drop and terminal elevators, with touchless capabilities. It also introduced an automated facial detection system to ensure that all airport employees wear their masks when required. In addition, HIA has implemented Smart Screening Helmets for contactless temperature measurement, and autonomous disinfectant robots that emit concentrated UV light in high passenger flow areas.

HIA was the first airport in the Middle East and Asia to achieve a 5-Star Covid-19 Airport Safety Rating by Skytrax in 2020. The audit assessed the effectiveness of HIA’s Covid-19 policies and measures in providing a safe environment for all.

For more information, visit World Airport Awards