World’s best airport

Incheon International Airport is one of the best airports in the world.

By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Salwa Elzeny
Photos = Salwa Elzeny

As someone unknown once said, “Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.”

Airports are the first gateway to your adventures. Airports are a place of both happiness and sadness. We feel happiness when our family and friends arrive and feel sadness when they leave, but all of these feelings are honest and truthful.

Incheon International Airport (ICN) is one of the best airports that I have ever seen. It’s the largest airport in Korea, the primary airport serving the capital city of Seoul, and one of the largest and busiest airports in the world.

Since 2005, it has been rated as the best airport in the world by Airports Council International every year.

Travelers can use convenient transportation systems at the airport.

What is Airports Council International?

Airports Council International (ACI) is the only global trade representative of the world’s airports. Established in 1991, the ACI represents airports’ interests with governments and international organizations, such as the ICAO. It develops standards, policies and recommended practices for airports, and provides information and training opportunities to raise standards around the world.

In March 2017, Incheon International Airport won the world’s best airport award for a record 12th consecutive year.

Korea’s largest airport scored 4.98 points out of 5, winning the title given by the annual Airport Service Quality Award, presented by the ACI.

The airport was also named the best large airport — with at least 40 million passengers annually — the best airport in the Asia-Pacific and the best large-scale airport in the Asia-Pacific.

Today, airport assessments have become an essential part to improving the performance of airports, the facilities that are provided by an airport, which means saving money and stress for travelers. It is also important that they provide comfort to those who have to spend long transit times in the airport. Of the many criteria on which airports are ranked, the security aspect may be highlighted in light of recent attacks, bombings and hijackings.

In spite of the importance of security, it’s not the only factor when classifying airports. The number of passengers, the quality of services, the facilities offered and the speed of reception all play a part in ranking the best airports around the world.

Self check-in kiosks are available at Incheon International Airport.

During my short experience at Incheon International Airport, I saw and enjoyed many wonderful and unique services, like a Lost & Found Center. At this center, you can inquire about anything that you lost at the airport. You can leave your information there with the center staff so that they will be able to contact you. The staff speak Korean and English.

Also, Incheon International Airport offers a tax refund service at the Self Tax Refund kiosks. They are easy to use and are available in all areas of the airport. They make it easier for tourists to enjoy shopping in Korea and to save money. The Self Tax Refund kiosks are located all over and offer services in many languages.

To save time and to minimize your time waiting in line, there are also 108 self-check in kiosks at the airport, with services provided in four languages. One of the reasons that I was so happy, despite my leaving Korea, was that some of the check-in employees spoke Arabic with me and my sister after they saw our passports. Many other airports don’t provide multi-language services for travelers — just the local language and English — so I appreciated this service at Incheon International Airport. I know how well Koreans respect other cultures and nations, and this service makes passengers feel a lot more comfortable.

The world’s best airport also provides a prayer room for devout Muslims.

Live music is played at the airport.