World’s best airports – and where South Africa ranks
Hamad International Airport in Qatar was declared the best airport in the world, and South Africa’s Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban airports rank among the top 80.
The Skytrax World Airport Awards recently ranked the top 100 airports in the world in 2024.
These awards offer coveted accolades for airports across the world and are seen as a global benchmark of airport excellence.
This year’s Skytrax World Airport Awards ceremony was held at the Passenger Terminal EXPO in Frankfurt recently.
Skytrax is an esteemed international air transport rating organisation established in 1989 and headquartered in London, UK.
Skytrax introduced the World Airline and Airport Star Rating programme in 1999. This programme, a leading international rating system, evaluates airlines and airports based on product quality and staff service standards.
The 5-Star Airport Rating – a prestigious mark of quality achievement and a global benchmark of airport excellence – is awarded following thorough audit analysis and assessment of each airport’s product and frontline service standards.
This year’s Awards event was attended by the Presidents, CEOs and top management from airports across the globe, recognising the importance of the Skytrax Awards.
Below is an overview of the top 10 airports in the world and where South Africa’s airports included in the awards ranked in the top 100.
1. Hamad International Airport, Qatar
Hamad International Airport is an international airport in Qatar.
It is home to Qatar Airways, the country’s flag carrier airline. Located east of Qatar’s capital, Doha, it replaced the nearby Doha International Airport as the country’s principal and main national airport.
Last year, this airport ranked second at the 2023 Skytrax World Airport Awards.
2. Singapore Changi Airport, Singapore
Singapore Changi Airport is a major international airport that serves Singapore and is one of the largest transportation hubs in Asia.
This airport started operating in 1981. It ranked first among the world’s airports at the 2023 Skytrax Awards.
3. Incheon International Airport, South Korea
Incheon International Airport is the main international airport serving Seoul, the capital of South Korea.
It has moved up one spot from the rankings since last year when it ranked fourth at the 2023 Skytrax Awards.
4. Haneda Airport, Japan
Haneda Airport, which opened in 1931, is one of two international airports serving the Greater Tokyo Area, the other being Narita International Airport.
It was overtaken in the rankings by Incheon International Airport, as it ranked third at the 2023 Skytrax Awards.
5. Narita International Airport, Japan
Along with Haneda Airport, Narita International Airport serves the Greater Tokyo Area.
It was originally known as New Tokyo International Airport and is about 60 km east of central Tokyo in Narita, Chiba.
It shot up in the rankings this year, having ranked ninth at the previous Skytrax Awards.
6. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, France
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is the main international airport serving Paris, France.
It opened in 1974 and is located in Roissy-en-France, 23 km northeast of Paris. It is named after World War II statesman Charles de Gaulle.
It dropped one spot in the rankings this year after taking the five spot at the 2023 Skytrax Awards.
7. Dubai International Airport, UAE
Dubai International Airport is the primary international airport serving Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
It skyrocketed on the rankings in 2024, jumping up 10 spots after ranking 17th at the 2023 Skytrax Awards.
8. Munich International Airport, Germany
Munich International Airport is an international airport serving Munich and Upper Bavaria. It was opened over three decades ago, in 1992.
It dropped one place in the rankings this year, having placed seventh in the 2023 rankings.
9. Zurich Airport, Switzerland
Zurich Airport is the largest international airport in Switzerland and the principal hub of Swiss International Air Lines.
It fell slightly in the rankings after placing eighth at the 2023 Skytrax Awards.
10. Istanbul Airport, Turkey
Istanbul Airport is the larger of two international airports serving Istanbul, Turkey.
It dropped significantly in the rankings in 2024, having ranked sixth at the 2023 Skytrax Awards.
54. Cape Town International Airport, South Africa
Cape Town International Airport is the primary international airport serving the city of Cape Town.
At this year’s Skytrax Awards, it scooped the Skytrax Best Airport in Africa award for the ninth consecutive year and the Skytrax Best Airport Staff in Africa award for the fourth consecutive year.
Last year, this airport ranked 47th.
72. King Shaka International Airport, South Africa
King Shaka International Airport is the primary international airport serving Durban, South Africa.
It is located in La Mercy, KwaZulu-Natal, approximately 35 km north of the city centre of Durban.
King Shaka was recognised as the Best Regional Airport in Africa at the 2024 Skytrax Awards.
Last year, this airport ranked 61st.
83. OR Tambo International Airport, South Africa
OR Tambo International Airport is the largest airport in Africa and is situated in Kempton Park, Gauteng.
At the 2024 Skytrax Awards, OR Tambo secured the third position for Best Airport in Africa and also received accolades for Best Airport Hotel.
Last year, this airport ranked 75th.
Top 10 airports in the world
| 2024 Ranking | Airport | Country |
| 1 | Hamad International Airport | Qatar |
| 2 | Singapore Changu Airport | Singapore |
| 3 | Incheon International Airport | South Korea |
| 4 | Haneda Airport | Japan |
| 5 | Narita International Airport | Japan |
| 6 | Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport | France |
| 7 | Dubai International Airport | UAE |
| 8 | Munich International Airport | Germany |
| 9 | Zurich International Airport | Switzerland |
| 10 | Istanbul Airport | Turkey |
| 54 | Cape Town International Airport | South Africa |
| 72 | King Shaka International Airport | South Africa |
| 83 | OR Tambo International Airport | South Africa |
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