Gold Coast airport voted best in Pacific region

THE Gold Coast airport has again been voted the Pacific’s best regional facility in ‘the Oscars of aviation’.

The Gold Coast Airport has been voted the best in the Pacific region.

GOLD Coast Airport has been named Best Regional Airport for Australia Pacific for the third time at the Skytrax World Airport Awards.

The awards were based on customer feedback from almost 14 million airport survey questionnaires conducted across 550 airports internationally.

GCA Chief Operating Officer Marion Charlton said the customer-judged award was a reflection of their service level.

The Gold Coast Airport.

“To be recognised at this level for the third time is a significant coup not only for us, but the entire airport community including our retailers, contractors and airline partners,” she said.

“Not only does this coveted award put our airport under the spotlight on the world stage, it will help boost the profile of the Gold Coast and northern New South Wales internationally ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.”

Overall, Queensland is schooling the rest of Australia on how to do airports.

At world No. 16, Brisbane was the top rated Aussie airport — having risen one place from last year in the Skytrax World Airport Awards.

An A380 at Sydney Airport. Picture: John Appleyard

Sydney airport held steady, ranked at No. 23 in the world, but Melbourne dropped five places from 25th last year to 30th this year.

However, Sydney did have a win, with Stamford Plaza Sydney Airport named the best airport hotel in the Australia/Pacific region, followed by Parkroyal Melbourne Airport.

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Meanwhile, Perth jumped two places to rank at No. 71 in the world, overtaking Adelaide, which fell four places from last year’s 69th position to 73 this year — putting Adelaide at the bottom of Australia’s big six international airports.

However, Australia’s other international airports, including Darwin, Cairns and Canberra, didn’t rate a mention among the top 100. In the best regional airport rankings, Canberra rated just ahead of PNG’s Port Moresby airport.

The Skytrax World Airport Awards are based on a global customer satisfaction survey on key areas including check-in, arrivals, transfers, shopping, security and immigration through to departure at the gate.

Changi Airport sculpture Kinetic Rain.

Internationally, for the fifth year running, Singapore’s Changi Airport was named the world’s best airport.

But this year, a new challenger to the crown emerged, with Japan’s Tokyo Haneda jumping to No. 2 from its position last year at No.4. Tokyo Haneda was also named the world’s cleanest airport.

Jetliners from Japan Airlines taxi on the tarmc at Tokyo's Haneda airport.

Meanwhile, Hamad International Airport, in Doha, Qatar, shot up the rankings, from No. 10 to No.6.

In Indonesia, Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta airport was named the most improved airport of the year, following the opening of its new Terminal 3.

Hong Kong International Airport was named No. 1 for airport dining, while London Heathrow was rated the world’s best for airport shopping.

The Skytrax World Airport Awards were based on 13.82 million airport survey questionnaires between July 2016 and February 2017, covering 550 airports worldwide.

Changi Airport’s 24-hour gym.

World’s top 10 airports

1. Singapore Changi (Singapore)

2. Tokyo International Haneda (Japan)

3. Incheon International Airport, Seoul (South Korea)

4. Munich Airport (Germany)

5. Hong Kong International Airport (China)

6. Hamad International Airport, Doha (Qatar)

7. Centrair Nagoya (Japan)

8. Zurich Airport (Switzerland)

9. Heathrow Airport, London (UK)

10. Frankfurt Airport (Germany)

Air New Zealand's biometric bag drop at Auckland International Airport.

Best Airports in Australia/Pacific

1. Brisbane

2. Auckland

3. Sydney

4. Melbourne

5. Gold Coast

6. Christchurch

7. Perth

8. Adelaide

9. Wellington

10. Darwin

The childcare centre at Darwin Airport.

Best regional airports: Australia/Pacific

1. Gold Coast

2. Christchurch

3. Wellington

4. Darwin

5. Cairns

6. Hobart

7. Canberra

8. Port Moresby

9. Noumea

10. Palau

For the full list of winners, visit worldairportawards.com