Hamad International Airport Ranked Second Best International Airport

Hamad International Airport (HIA) was ranked second in the Top 10 International Airports in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2017 readers’ survey.

The magazine’s World’s Best awards recognise the greatest airports, islands, cities, hotels, and cruise lines as voted by its 4.8 million readers and has been on-going annually for 22 years. HIA came a close second to winner, Singapore’s Changi Airport.

With the runner-up position, HIA takes the lead in the global race of best international airports, along with South Korea’s Incheon International, Hong Kong International, Zurich Airport Switzerland and Haneda, Tokyo International Airport.

Competing airports were ranked according to their ease of access, security, variety of food and beverages options, shopping experience and design. HIA ranked very high on all criteria and scooped the 2nd place based on its unique Vitality Wellbeing and Fitness Center as well as its world-class sculptural art curated in partnership with Qatar Museums.

Badr Mohammed Al Meer, Chief Operating Officer of Hamad International Airport, said: “HIA is a young and ambitious airport. We are extremely proud of what we have achieved in a short period of time with a dedicated team and supportive partners. We value our passengers’ trust and recognition of our continuous effort to provide them with the best travel experience and our endeavour to remain among the leading airports in the world. The votes we received from the Travel+Leisure magazine’s readers are a testament to HIA’s commitment to providing five-star services.”

HIA is investing in new technologies in order to deliver on its Smart Airport vision. HIA will start trials to evaluate the effectiveness of robots for passenger facilitation; block-chain technology for rapid and secure sharing of data across stakeholders; and the potential use of augmented and virtual reality for operational concepts. 

Arts & Culture is a high priority for the airport and is one of the most appreciated feature by passengers, as demonstrated by the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2017 readers’ survey.

The airport houses work by international artists such as Dia Azzawi, Ahmed Al Bahrani, Keith Haring, Damien Hirst, Tom Otterness, Anselm Reyle and Bill Viola. HIA, in partnership with Qatar Museums, is planning to unveil additional art pieces in the coming months.

Source: The Peninsula Qatar