Revealed: Middle East’s best airport for customer service

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 10:30 AM

The UAE’s two main airports – Dubai International and Abu Dhabi International – have been voted the best in the Middle East for customer service, according to the results of a global passenger satisfaction survey by a leading aviation industry body.

Dubai International Airport, the world’s fourth busiest airport for international passenger and cargo traffic, was awarded the best airport in the Middle East in the latest Airport Service Quality Awards, compiled each year by the Montreal-based Airports Council International (ACI).

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Some of the passenger service initiatives Dubai introduced in 2011, which led to it topping the list, included a mobile application providing information on flights and gate numbers and ‘snoozecubes’, the world’s first high tech modular sleeping pods for the more than 50m travelers passing through the airport. Dubai was also awarded the most improved airport in the Middle East for the second year running.

Abu Dhabi’s main airport was also awarded by the ACI as the second best airport in the Middle East for quality of service.

“We are honored to have received this outstanding recognition for the second year running. The ASQ Awards have a real importance to us since the passengers actually decide on the winners, ranking once again Abu Dhabi International Airport as the 2nd best airport in the Middle East,” said James E. Bennett, CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC).

Third in the rankings was Tel Aviv Airport, which is currently undergoing a $800m five-year refurbishment.

Worldwide, Seoul’s Incheon Airport took the top spot, while Cape Town International was ranked best in Africa. Malta Airport took the top spot in Europe, Cancun was the best in Latin America and the Caribbean and Ottawa was the best in North America.

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Posted by: Mazen Sunday, 26 February 2012 9:38 AM[UAE] - Saudi Arabia

I have an easy solution for you Donald, Jon and procan - don't fly to Dubai or anywhere else in the GCC...

See, problem solved and now you can go back to your wonderful lives in your home countries and stop obsessing over life in the Arab world...

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Posted by: Monkey Tennis Wednesday, 22 February 2012 4:37 PM[UAE] - UAE

BTW - Might also want to have a think about the "international" bit; comparing a US hub airport like Atlanta or O'Hare that handles hundreds of short haul domestic flights a day with a large international airport that stands as major hub for long haul inter-continental passenger and trade traffic would be a bit silly wouldn't it.

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Posted by: Donald Tuesday, 21 February 2012 9:29 PM[UAE] - Canada

According to Wikipedia, Dubai was the 13th busiest airport for passenger traffic and 6th for international passenger traffic in 2011 and 8th for cargo traffic in 2010 (no numbers are avaiable for cargo for 2011). It's not in the top 30 for traffic movement in 2010. Where do the numbers for "the world?s fourth busiest airport for international passenger and cargo traffic" come from?

Posted by: procan Wednesday, 22 February 2012 8:55 AM[UAE] - canada

Hey Donald take a few minutes check out the comments in general facts related to real estate, tourism, ,oil business on how data is reported in the UAE and you will find by there own admission the numbers are unsubstantiated or out right made up. Many commentators do not except western statistics or many international ones for that matter the up side is AB has some excellent commentators that are very savvy and better understand the global business picture than otheres who post here. I no longer comment on the long haul airline industry unless provoked as many become irrational , as you will soon see after this post ha ha . Welcome aboard good to see new blood here Cheers!

Posted by: Lionheart Wednesday, 22 February 2012 8:54 AM[UAE] - Qatar

They make them up Donald.....

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Posted by: Albert Tuesday, 21 February 2012 8:44 PM[UAE] - Singapore

Fully agree with Jon's comments. Personally, I do not think Emirates' Terminal or Dubai International Airport can be classified or ranked as best airport of the Middle East. One of the airport which I would like to avoid; if I need to have my transit in Dubai for European sector. Huge but not friendly environment at all.

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Posted by: Jon Tuesday, 21 February 2012 4:38 PM[UAE] - UK

Ironically reading Skytrax, general passengers rate the two airports amongst the worst and should be avoided for transfers.

Posted by: procan Wednesday, 22 February 2012 8:55 AM[UAE] - canada

You should not have mentioned Skytrax as they are a biased western organization who do not treat UAE airports fairly ( kidding :-)

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