Changi Crowned World’s Best Airport for Record 14th Time
Singapore’s Changi Airport has once again cemented its position as the undisputed champion of global air travel, clinching the coveted title of the World’s Best Airport for the second year running. This remarkable achievement marks Changi’s 14th triumph at the prestigious annual World Airline Awards, a testament to its enduring commitment to passenger excellence.
While Changi basked in glory, its long-standing rival, Doha’s Hamad International Airport, a strong contender that secured the runner-up spot last year, made a last-minute withdrawal from the awards. The decision stemmed from the closure of airspace around Qatar due to ongoing regional conflicts. Hamad International Airport issued a statement indicating a temporary pause on participation in external exhibitions, conferences, industry events, and awards programs, including the Skytrax World Airport Awards and the Passenger Terminal Expo, for the duration of the prevailing situation. Doha has previously claimed the top award three times this decade, a period that saw Changi dominate the preceding years.
Despite the withdrawal of a key competitor, other regional airports maintained their presence in the global rankings. Dubai International, recognised as the world’s busiest airport for international passenger traffic in 2025, secured the 13th position. Bahrain International Airport followed at number 20, with Abu Dhabi International Airport rounding out the top 25 at number 23.
Melbourne Leads the Pack Down Under
Closer to home, Melbourne Airport has once again proven itself to be Australia’s premier gateway, retaining its status as the nation’s top-ranked airport. Globally, Melbourne achieved a commendable 21st position, significantly outperforming its Australian counterparts. Sydney Airport landed at 52nd place, with Brisbane Airport following at 40th. Other Australian airports to feature within the top 100 included Perth at 58, Adelaide at 72, and Gold Coast at 81.
The accolades were presented at the Passenger Terminal Expo (PTE) World in London. The World Airline Awards are a significant benchmark in the aviation industry, drawing upon extensive customer satisfaction surveys that encompass a staggering 575 airports worldwide.
Changi’s dominance extended beyond the overall best airport title. The Singaporean hub also scooped up awards for Best Airport Dining and Best Airport Immigration Service, highlighting its comprehensive passenger experience. Notably, Changi has witnessed a substantial increase in passenger traffic, particularly from travellers journeying between Australia and Europe. This surge is attributed to the airspace closures affecting major hubs in the Persian Gulf. Data from Flight Centre Travel Group revealed a remarkable 38 per cent increase in booking volumes for Australia-Europe routes via Changi since early March, a period coinciding with heightened geopolitical tensions. According to aviation analytics firm OAG, Changi ranked as the world’s fourth-busiest airport for international traffic in 2025, facilitating 42.5 million seats, trailing only Dubai, London Heathrow, and South Korea’s Incheon.
Melbourne’s Ambitious Expansion Plans
Melbourne Airport’s stellar performance comes on the heels of a record-breaking January, which saw over 1.2 million passengers pass through its international terminal, marking its busiest month for international travel ever. In response to this burgeoning demand, the airport has unveiled an ambitious $4.5 billion expansion plan. This significant investment will focus on enhancing the international terminal facilities and introducing new, streamlined pick-up and drop-off zones.
The award for Most Improved Airport was bestowed upon Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh King Khalid International Airport. This accolade reflects its impressive climb from 24th to 14th in the global rankings, a direct result of substantial upgrades to its international terminal. Saudi Arabia is clearly positioning itself as a future aviation powerhouse, with the imminent full launch of its new airline, Riyadh Air, expected this year. The airline plans a rapid expansion to serve 98 destinations, with Australia anticipated to be part of its network at some point.
The Top Tier: World’s Best Airports 2026
The full list of the top-ranked airports for 2026 highlights a consistent standard of excellence:
- Singapore Changi
- Seoul Incheon
- Tokyo Haneda
- Hong Kong
- Tokyo Narita
- Paris CDG
- Rome Fiumicino
- Istanbul
- Munich
- Vancouver
- Helsinki-Vantaa
- Chubu Centrair International
- Dubai International
- Riyadh King Khalid International
- Vienna International
- London Heathrow
- Amsterdam Schiphol
- Fukuoka International
- Zurich
- Bahrain
