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2023 Global Airport Rankings Reveal Best and Worst Airports: Surprises and Trends

In the latest global airport rankings for 2023, surprising trends and unexpected leaders have emerged, reshaping the narrative of the world’s best and worst airports. AirHelp, a passenger advocacy group specializing in customer service claims for flight disruptions, has released its comprehensive analysis, providing travelers with insights into where they might encounter the smoothest or most challenging experiences.


Top Performers: Asian and South American Airports Lead the Way

  1. Muscat International Airport, Oman (MCT)

  2. Recife/Guararapes-Gilberto Freyre International Airport, Brazil (REC)

  3. Cape Town International Airport, South Africa (CPT)

  4. Brasília-Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek International Airport, Brazil (BSB)

  5. Doha Hamad International Airport, Qatar (DOH)

  6. Osaka Itami International Airport, Japan (ITM)

  7. Belem/Val-de-Cans International Airport, Brazil (BEL)

  8. Belo Horizonte Tancredo Neves International Airport, Brazil (CNF)

  9. Tokyo Narita International Airport, Japan (NRT)

  10. Amami Airport, Japan (ASJ)

The top of the list is dominated by airports from Asia and South America, a trend that highlights the growing prominence of these regions in global aviation. Muscat International Airport in Oman claims the title of the world's best airport, followed closely by Brazil’s Recife-Guararapes International Airport and South Africa's Cape Town International Airport.

Japan and Brazil, in particular, have shown exceptional performance. Each country boasts three airports in the top ten list, a testament to their commitment to quality and passenger satisfaction. This includes Osaka Itami International Airport and Tokyo Narita International Airport from Japan, and Brazil’s Belo Horizonte Tancredo Neves and Belem/Val-de-Cans International Airports.


US and European Airports Lag Behind

In contrast, major airports in the United States and Europe have not fared as well in the rankings. Only three US airports made it into the top 50, with Minneapolis-St. Paul International leading at No. 13. European airports also struggled to make a significant mark, with only nine making it into the top 50. Bilbao Airport in Spain stands out as the top European airport in the list.

Notably, major metropolitan airports like Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson, London Heathrow, and Paris Charles de Gaulle ranked lower than expected, pointing to a trend where busier airports do not necessarily equate to better experiences for travelers.



The Worst Airports: Challenges and Room for Improvement

  1. Banjarmasin Syamsudin Noor International Airport, Indonesia (BDJ)

  2. Malta International Airport (MLA)

  3. London Gatwick Airport, UK (LGW)

  4. Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport, Portugal (LIS)

  5. Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG)

  6. Denpasar International Airport, Bali (DPS)

  7. Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)

  8. Sofia Airport, Bulgaria (SOF)

  9. Marseille Provence Airport, France (MRS)

  10. Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport, Indonesia (HLP)

The lower end of the list offers insights into airports facing significant challenges. Banjarmasin Syamsudin Noor International Airport in Indonesia ranks as the worst airport globally, followed by Malta International Airport and London Gatwick. Issues at these airports often include poor on-time performance and negative customer feedback regarding navigation, food, and shopping options.


Methodology: Comprehensive Data and Feedback Analysis

AirHelp’s ranking is based on a rigorous analysis of more than 4,000 airports, incorporating factors such as on-time performance and comprehensive customer feedback. The data, collected from January 1 to September 30, alongside survey responses from over 15,800 passengers, provides a robust picture of the current state of global airport experiences.


Implications for Travelers and the Aviation Industry

For travelers, these rankings offer valuable guidance in planning their journeys, highlighting destinations where they are likely to encounter the best and worst airport experiences. For the aviation industry, these results underline the importance of continual improvement in infrastructure, customer service, and overall passenger experience.

In conclusion, the 2023 global airport rankings paint a picture of a shifting landscape in aviation, with Asian and South American airports setting high standards and traditionally dominant Western airports facing challenges to improve their services and facilities.

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