Saturday, 06 September 2025
Skytrax World Airport Awards

Singapore Changi Airport Crowned World's Best for 2025, Securing 13th Skytrax Award

Changi Airport Wins 2025 Best Airport, Excels in Dining and Services
Published: Thursday, April 10, 2025
Singapore Changi Airport Crowned World's Best for 2025, Securing 13th Skytrax Award

Singapore Changi Airport has been named the World's Best Airport for 2025 at the Skytrax World Airport Awards, marking its 13th time receiving this prestigious honor. This achievement underscores Changi's commitment to providing an exceptional travel experience, with features like automated check-in, passport-free immigration, and a wide array of dining options.

The airport also won awards for the World's Best Airport Dining and the World's Best Airport Washrooms, further highlighting its dedication to customer satisfaction. Additionally, it was recognized as the Best Airport in Asia.

Changi Airport's success is reflected in its recent performance, with a significant increase in passenger traffic. In 2024, the airport handled 67.7 million passenger movements, a 14.8% increase from the previous year, reaching 99.1% of its pre-pandemic levels. This recovery is notable given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global travel.

The busiest month in 2024 was December, with 6.4 million passenger movements, surpassing six million for the first time since December 2019.

The airport's growth is also attributed to its strategic expansion of global connectivity. In 2024, Changi welcomed 10 new airlines, including Air Canada, Air Japan, and Peach, and launched 20 new routes to destinations such as Brussels, London Gatwick, and Vancouver. This expansion has been facilitated by close collaboration with airline partners, contributing to the airport's reputation as a leading aviation hub.

Changi Airport is not just a transportation hub but also a popular destination in itself. It features attractions like the Jewel Changi complex, which includes a butterfly conservatory and the Rain Vortex, the world's largest indoor waterfall. These amenities, combined with its excellent service and facilities, make Changi Airport a standout among global airports.

In the same awards, Doha's Hamad International Airport ranked second, recognized for its luxury shopping and named the Best Airport in the Middle East. Tokyo Haneda Airport took third place, noted for its cleanliness and accessibility facilities. This year's awards highlight the ongoing excellence of Asian airports, with several others ranking highly in the global list.

Changi Airport's recognition extends beyond the Skytrax awards. It was also named the Overall Winner at the Routes Asia 2025 Awards, acknowledging its excellence in airport and destination marketing. The airport's commitment to service quality and its strategic partnerships have been instrumental in its success, positioning it as a premier global aviation hub.

Lucknow Airport Unveils New Terminal, Expands Global Routes, and Increases Capacity

Published: Monday, September 01, 2025
Lucknow Airport Unveils New Terminal, Expands Global Routes, and Increases Capacity

Lucknow’s Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport is set for a transformative expansion with Adani Airports investing nearly ₹10,000 crore to vastly improve facilities, capacity, and connectivity. The airport’s annual passenger handling capacity will almost double from 8 million to 14 million by 2026–27, driven by the completion of Terminal 3, Phase 2, along with upgraded infrastructure.

A parallel taxi track will increase flight movements from 17 to 24 per hour, reducing congestion and improving operational efficiency. The runway is being extended from 2,744 meters to 3,514 meters, enabling wide-body aircraft such as the Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 to operate directly from Lucknow. This enhancement is expected to open nonstop long-haul flights to Europe and the US.

Cargo operations are also receiving a significant boost, with a target to increase capacity to 50,000 metric tonnes within the next five years. Currently, the airport connects to 42 nonstop destinations—31 domestic and 11 international with plans to add more international routes including direct flights to Vietnam and Singapore. The expansion combines modern technology, art, and culture to create a seamless and comfortable travel experience and aims to establish Lucknow as a major aviation hub in northern India while supporting regional economic growth.

Sharjah Airport Welcomes Launch of Fly Cham Flights from Syria

Published: Sunday, August 31, 2025
Sharjah Airport Welcomes Launch of Fly Cham Flights from Syria

Sharjah Airport Authority (SAA) has welcomed the Syrian airline Fly Cham to its growing network, officially launching new flights to the emirate on August 28, 2025. This significant addition highlights Sharjah Airport’s expanding role as a regional travel hub, boosting connectivity between the UAE and Syria and offering passengers enhanced travel options.

The inaugural Fly Cham flight touched down at Sharjah Airport amid a ceremony attended by key officials including Dr. Ahmed Al Hmoudi, Director of Customer Service at SAA, and Hamdi Khalaf, Commercial Director of Fly Cham. The airline will operate five weekly flights between Damascus and Sharjah with convenient afternoon timings, along with two weekly early morning flights linking Aleppo and Sharjah. The aircraft of choice for these routes is the Airbus A320, known for its comfort and efficiency.

Ali Salim Al Midfa, Chairman of SAA, emphasized the importance of these new services in meeting the rising demand for travel between Syria and the UAE. “The launch of Fly Cham flights is a valuable addition to our ongoing expansion and highlights the strength and quality of our airport’s infrastructure and services,” he stated. Al Midfa also noted that the new routes provide vital flexibility for passengers to maintain family ties and conduct business, affirming SAA’s commitment to delivering safe, seamless, and world-class travel experiences.

From Fly Cham’s perspective, CEO Captain Moussa Boutros described the partnership with Sharjah Airport as a strategic step for regional growth. “Our confidence in Sharjah’s world-class facilities and services makes it the ideal choice to offer safe, reliable, and competitively priced travel options,” he said. Boutros highlighted that the collaboration aims to support growing demand and deepen ties between Syria and the UAE.

Sharjah Airport continues to attract international airlines by adopting advanced technologies and tailoring services to meet diverse needs. With ongoing expansion projects targeting an increase in annual capacity to 25 million passengers by 2027, the airport is poised to reinforce Sharjah’s position as a leading aviation, tourism, and economic hub in the region. The Fly Cham launch stands as a testament to this vision, enriching the airport’s route network and enhancing its role in regional connectivity and economic development.

Malaysia to Shut Kuala Lumpur Airport Airspace for Six Days This Week

Published: Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Malaysia to Shut Kuala Lumpur Airport Airspace for Six Days This Week

In a significant move ahead of Malaysia’s 68th National Day celebrations, authorities will close the airspace surrounding Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) every morning from 8 a.m. to noon starting Tuesday, August 26, for six consecutive days. This temporary closure is to facilitate rehearsals by the Royal Malaysian Air Force for the much-anticipated aerial flypast during the National Day parade on August 31.

The morning airspace closure aims to ensure smooth, uninterrupted practice sessions, which are a highlight of the country’s annual patriotic festivities. The Royal Malaysian Air Force's precision and spectacle in the sky are eagerly awaited each year, symbolizing national pride and unity.

In response to the closure, Malaysia Airlines announced adjustments to its flight schedules to accommodate the restricted airspace period. Passengers departing KLIA are urged to arrive at least four hours before their revised flight times to allow ample time for check-in procedures and mandatory travel document verification at various checkpoints within the airport.

The airline also emphasizes the importance of travelers verifying their travel documents and entry or exit requirements through official channels prior to their journey, ensuring a hassle-free experience during this busy time.

As Malaysia prepares to honor its 68th year of independence, these measures highlight the elaborate planning and coordination behind the celebrations, promising a memorable National Day both on the ground and in the skies.

Dubai Expands DXB Terminal 1 Bridge to Ease Airport Traffic

Published: Monday, August 25, 2025
Dubai Expands DXB Terminal 1 Bridge to Ease Airport Traffic

Dubai International Airport's Terminal 1 is set to welcome a transformative upgrade that promises to greatly enhance the travel experience for millions of passengers. Recognizing the surging demand with over 92 million travelers passing through the airport in 2024, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched an ambitious project to widen and upgrade the crucial access bridge to Terminal 1.

The existing bridge, which currently accommodates three lanes, will be expanded to four lanes through the construction of a new steel box girder bridge integrated with a composite concrete slab. This innovative engineering approach not only delivers enhanced structural efficiency but also enables swift construction without disrupting the busy traffic flow on Airport Street or requiring temporary supports beneath the bridge.

Stretching a total of 171 meters, with a 70-meter main span, the expanded bridge will increase vehicle capacity by 33%, rising from 4,200 to 5,600 vehicles per hour. This substantial boost in capacity aims to dramatically reduce congestion and shorten journey times, offering smoother access to one of the world's busiest international airports.

Beyond widening the bridge, the project features comprehensive upgrades including road pavement improvements, infrastructure service enhancements, landscaping to blend with the surrounding environment, and new street lighting to improve safety and visibility.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director General of RTA, emphasized the importance of this development as part of Dubai’s larger vision to future-proof its transportation network and strengthen connectivity between vital corridors and the airport. This initiative falls under broader efforts by the RTA that have already delivered several major infrastructure upgrades along Airport Street ranging from additional bridges and tunnels to expanded road capacity all geared toward supporting Dubai’s standing as a global travel and business hub.

As Dubai International Airport continues to break records as the world's busiest for international passengers, the Terminal 1 bridge expansion underscores the city's commitment to excellence in transportation infrastructure. Travelers can look forward to a safer, faster, and more seamless journey to and from DXB, reiterating Dubai’s role as a premier gateway for global connectivity.

This narrative highlights the project's significance, technical innovation, and its role in enhancing passenger convenience while fitting a polished feature news style. The original detailed information on the project scope, benefits, and strategic context are preserved and smoothly presented for a broad audience.

Salalah Airport Sees Surge in Flights and Passenger Traffic Amid Khareef Season

Published: Sunday, August 17, 2025
Salalah Airport Sees Surge in Flights and Passenger Traffic Amid Khareef Season

Salalah Airport has reported significant growth in both aircraft movements and passenger numbers throughout the Khareef Dhofar (monsoon) season 2025, marking a positive trend compared to the same period last year. The data, covering June 21 to August 3, 2025, highlights the rising popularity of the Dhofar region as a prime tourist destination during its unique monsoon season.

According to figures released by Oman Airports, total aircraft movements surged by 16 percent, reaching 1,849 flights this season, up from 1,592 flights in 2024. Passenger traffic also saw a healthy increase of 5 percent, with 288,110 travelers passing through Salalah Airport compared to 274,030 during the previous season.

The boost was evident on both arrival and departure fronts. Arriving flights rose from 795 to 925, a jump of 16 percent, while the number of arriving passengers grew by 3 percent to 158,301. Similarly, departure flights increased from 797 to 924, reflecting the same 16 percent rise, and departing passengers grew by 8 percent to reach 129,809.

Oman Airports has played a pivotal role in enhancing the travel experience amid this growth by introducing cutting-edge technologies that streamline passenger procedures. The airport has expanded lounge capacities and diversified its hospitality and commercial offerings, catering to the needs of the increasing number of travelers.

 Notably, the launch of the "Safar Ashal" (Easier Travel) initiative allows passengers to complete their travel formalities conveniently from their vehicles, saving time and enhancing overall comfort.

The rise in passenger and flight traffic mirrors the growing appeal of Dhofar Governorate during the Khareef season, famed for its mild climate, seasonal rains, and rich cultural heritage. Alongside various heritage and recreational events, these factors are strengthening Dhofar’s status as a comprehensive and year-round tourist hotspot.

With ongoing events and an increasing influx of visitors, this upward trend in air traffic is expected to continue, cementing Salalah’s role as a gateway for tourists eager to experience the unique charm of Oman’s southern region.