World's best airport named

WORLD'S FINEST: Incheon Airport in South Korea

South Korea's Incheon Airport has again been named the world's best airport in the annual World Airport Awards. The airport have taken out the top award for the second time after first winning in 2009.

The airport was ranked in the world's top five for eight of the 10 award categories from Skytrax, which include accessibility, comfort, speed of transit, friendliness of staff, and shopping and other facilities.

The awards, announced last month, are based on surveys conducted by Skytrax with 12 million passengers of 100 different nationalities over a nine month period.

Asian airports dominated the list, with six of the top 10 slots awarded to airports in the region.

"Aside from the inherent benefit that many of these airports have in the most modern infrastructure and terminal facilities, the real differentiator that comes across in customer feedback is that the service culture across these Asian airports is very often at a much higher quality level, and most importantly delivers in a consistent manner," Skytrax chairman Edward Plaisted said.

Singapore's Changi Airport was named as the second best airport in the world, with Hong Kong International Airport coming third.

London's Heathrow Airport, the world's busiest international airport, was in the news this week for leaving passengers waiting for hours in long queues at border control, but the awards offered some good news for the beleaguered facility.

Heathrow's Terminal 5, opened in 2008, won the award for best airport terminal, while the airport also won the award for best shopping. Another London airport, Stansted, won the award for best low-cost airport.

India's Delhi International Airport was named the most improved, helped by the opening of its new, modern terminal in 2010.

The Regal Airport Hotel in Hong Kong was named the world's best airport hotel, followed by the Sofitel at London's Heathrow, the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, the Langham Place Beijing Airport and the Novotel Suvarnabhumi Bangkok.

World's top 10 best airports

1. Incheon International Airport                                           6. Munich Airport

2. Singapore Changi Airport                                                7. Zurich Airport

3. Hong Kong International Airport                                      8. Kuala Lumpur International Airport

4. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport                                            9. Vancouver International Airport

5. Beijing Capital International Airport                                 10. Central Japan International Airport