Changi Airport has been crowned the World’s Best Airport for the fourth consecutive time in an annual global survey which polls air travellers.
It beat South Korea’s Incheon Airport and Munich Airport in Germany, which placed second and third on the list of top 10 airports at this year’s Skytrax World Airport Awards in Germany.
More than 13.25 million travellers participated in the Skytrax survey, which is recognised as the industry’s biggest exercise.
Travellers nominated their favourite airports for ease of transfer, shopping, immigration and passenger facilities, among other areas.
This is the seventh time in 16 years that Changi has nabbed the top spot. It also clinched the best airport award for leisure amenities.
Amenities in Changi include gardens and cinemas. It also has free sightseeing tours for visitors.
Mr Edward Plaisted, chief executive of London-based Skytrax, said Changi’s win is a clear testament to its popularity among air travellers.
He said the “leisure and entertainment facilities are unique features of Changi Airport, and underline its dedication to truly satisfy customers”.
Changi will increase its current annual passenger handling capacity of 66 million by 19 million in 2018, after Terminal 4 and the Jewel complex are completed.
Mr Jayson Goh, senior vice-president of airport operations management at Changi Airport Group (CAG), said steps are being taken to ensure service standards are maintained, such as motivating frontline staff through staff appreciation awards.
CAG also responds to feedback from its Facebook page and feedback screens throughout the airport, he said. This led to the installation of amenities such as more charging points in non-departure areas.
Better design can improve customer experience, said Mr Goh, who cited how CAG connected soap dispensers in its toilets to a central reserve, ensuring that travellers will never encounter an empty soap dispenser.
Said CAG chief executive Lee Seow Hiang: “We do not take this recognition for granted… It is the effort and commitment of the entire airport community that drives Changi’s success.”
This article was first published on March 17, 2016.
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