And in the end, Singapore Changi wins. The world's number one airport between 2013 and 2020, dethroned by Doha airport during the pandemic except in 2023, the City-State's hub had regained the top spot in the Skytrax rankings last year. In 2026, Singapore Changi is consolidating its prominent position in the airport world this year. All the more so as Doha is absent from the 2026 rankings. According to a press release, Hamad International Airport, given the ongoing conflict in the region, has withdrawn. of all outdoor exhibitions, conferences, industry events, and awards programmes during this period, including the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2026 and the London Passenger Terminal Expo 2026 ".
What remains is that Dubai or Abu Dhabi, similarly affected, are in the ranking, at 13e and 23e respectively. Likewise, King Khalid Airport in Riyadh, which received the award for "World's Most Improved Airport" and climbs from 24e at 14e rang. Is there any other reason for Doha's withdrawal from the Skytrax rankings this year? The question, posed to the Qatari hub's communication department, has yet to receive a response.
In any case, the absence of Doha airport mechanically benefits the other airports in the top 10 of the rankings. To that of Seoul Incheon in particular, which has moved up to second place ahead of the best domestic airport in the world, that of Tokyo Haneda, while that of Hong Kong, praised for the best security screening process, but also the best airport toilets in the world, has overtaken Tokyo Narita to take 4th place.e place.
Paris-CDG, Europe's best airport for the 5th time
Another positive consequence is that Paris-CDG has reached a new milestone, positioning itself in sixth place worldwide. Closely followed by Rome and Istanbul, its main competitors, the Parisian hub retains its title of best airport in Europe for the fifth consecutive year. " A particularly notable feat ", greets Philippe Pascal, CEO of the ADP group, as London Heathrow features at number 16e rang – including first in the world for its shopping offering – and Frankfurt in 51stewhile the world's busiest airport, Atlanta, is only in 77e position.
The improvements made in preparation for the Olympic Games, particularly for travellers with disabilities, Wi-Fi connectivity and accessible power outlets to charge phones, the Connect France initiative in partnership with Air France, and more broadly the "French touch" and the quality of welcome: Philippe Pascal outlines the elements that make Paris CDG one of the best airports in the world, this award not belonging solely to the ADP group, " but to the entire ecosystem, airlines, businesses, security services, and providers of all kinds ".
The second element to explain this standing is the commitment to honouring one's promises and never resting on one's laurels. Drawing a parallel between the Skytrax rankings and the Michelin guide, Philippe Pascal explains that " The recipe for earning stars is valid for one year. After that, the menu needs to be reinvented every year if you want to keep them. The arrival next year of the CDG Express, in addition to the renaming of terminals for a simplified passenger journey, should thus consolidate the position of Paris CDG. With an eight-year investment plan on the horizon for the coming years and the transformation of terminal 2E, in partnership with Air France, which will make it “ one of the most beautiful playgrounds in the world in the long term », according to Philippe Pascal.
Another cause for satisfaction for the CEO of ADP is that Paris-Orly Airport has regained its title as the best regional airport in Europe. If the Parisian airport has fallen back from 30e at 34e world champion, " sign of the intensity of international competition Laurence Faure, director of Paris-Orly, highlights the close relationship with passengers, particularly families with children, to explain its status as the best regional airport in Europe, while also emphasising the legacy of the Olympics for accommodating passengers with disabilities. However, the other new strong point of the platform is also, and above all, its accessibility with the arrival of line 14 in 2024.
Even if he is much further down the rankings, at 89e For the first time, Almaty Airport has entered the world's top 100. Taken over during the pandemic by TAV Airports, a Turkish subsidiary of the ADP group, the Kazakh airport is recognised as the best in Central Asia, notably thanks to its new international terminal inaugurated in 2024, with a capacity of 7 million passengers. In total, the ADP group has 10 of its platforms in the world's top 100, with most of them improving, including Delhi at 28th place, in addition to Paris and Almaty.e Hyderabad at 43eMedine who stays at 50e next to Goa 64eSantiago, Chile 84eAnkara 92e and Amman 97eIt should be noted that Delhi also received the award for best airport in South-East Asia.
Concurrently, Rome Fiumicino has been awarded the prize for Best Airport in Southern Europe, Helsinki Vantaa for Northern Europe, Munich for Central Europe, and Budapest for Eastern Europe, while Cape Town Airport stands out for Africa.
Skytrax also presents awards for airport hotels, with the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport in Singapore being recognised as the best in the world and in Asia. The Hilton Munich Airport, meanwhile, receives the award for the best airport hotel in Europe, the Grand Hyatt at SFO the best in North America, Le Méridien Cairo Airport the best in Africa, the Movenpick Bahrain the leader in the Middle East, and the Pullman Brisbane Airport in Australia-Pacific. As for the Taj Bangalore and the Hyatt Regency Shenzhen, they are recognised as the best in South-East Asia and China respectively.
