Top 10 airports

4. Tokyo, Japan

Passengers: 37,608,426

Narita International Airport is the main airport for Tokyo and is located about 60km outside of Tokyo. It has two terminals and two runways, operating more than 40 airlines. One of its more unusual services for passengers is a pet hotel located in Terminal 2, which takes care of pets while travellers are on overseas trips.

A constant criticism of the airport from passengers is its distance from central Tokyo. One solution is the Narita Rapid Railway, which is scheduled to open in 2010, and will shorten passenger travel times to and from the airport. Narita's congestion and expansion problems will also be eased by more international flights being moved to Tokyo's second major airport, Haneda, in 2009.

It is reported that the possibility of building a new reliever airport on an artificial island in Tokyo Bay is currently being investigated.

5. Los Angeles, California

Passengers: 35,667,336

Los Angeles International Airport occupies some 3500 acres, and is located on the southern coast of California, 15 miles southwest of Los Angeles. It is owned by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA).

The airport has nine terminals, including its principal Tom Bradley Terminal, which is undergoing refurbishment. The terminals are arranged in a ‘U' shape and served by shuttle buses. Terminal 1 is the largest of all the terminals with a total of 15 gates.

The renovations to the international Tom Bradley Terminal are expected to be complete by 2010. A new 10-gate concourse will be added to replace a west-side remote gate area and will be completed in 2012. The project is estimated at a cost of US$1.2 billion and will enable the terminal to handle flights using the Airbus A380. The project encompasses new baggage screening technology and airline lounge upgrades.

LAX, as it is more commonly referred to, handles more ‘origin and destination' (not connecting) passengers than any other airport in the world, and is the second busiest airport in the US (behind JFK in New York). It serves more than 150 destinations worldwide, with United Airlines operating to the most destinations.

Emirates recently announced the launch of its non-stop service between the Middle East and the US west coast.

6. Charles de Gaulle, Paris

Passengers: 35,556,686

Paris-Charles de Gaulle International Airport is owned by Aeroports de Paris. It has three terminals and four runways, and is ranked number two in Europe in terms of passenger numbers.

In September 2008, Aeroports de Paris unveiled its new terminal, T2G, which is dedicated to European and French destinations at Paris-Charles de Gaulle.

The terminal has a passenger capacity of three million and comprises three buildings: the first houses the check-in facilities, the second the boarding lounge and shops, and the third is home to baggage reclaim. The boarding lounge is linked to two piers providing access to 26 aircraft parking stands.

The terminal design is simple. It uses oversized signage in a colourful way to provide directions for passengers, and Feng Shui specialists were drafted in to create the interior ambience.

Pierre Graf, CEO of the airport group, says the terminal meets all expectations. "It took only four years between the time Air France and its three regional subsidiaries expressed their requirements, and the delivery of this new terminal. It is proof of Aeroports de Paris' ability to provide support to the development of its client airlines."

A new regional terminal was also commissioned this year and investments in the Galerie Parisienne and the new boarding lounge in terminal 2E are aimed at increasing the airport capacity by 20 million passengers.

READERS' COMMENTS

MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM