This represents a big improvement on the results of the 2008 awards, which rated Auckland as 2nd best in the Australia Pacific region, and 20th overall in the world.

Auckland Airport’s chief executive, Simon Moutter, said “It is fantastic that the effort going into improving the passenger experience at Auckland Airport is being recognised by the people who matter the most, the travellers.”

The strength of the competition from the Asian region was evident with Seoul Incheon, Hong Kong, and Singapore Changi, taking the first three spots in the world’s best airport rankings.

Simon added, “We will keep striving to lift our game and make a contribution to New Zealand tourism and trade through our service and through our passenger experience. The latest passenger experience improvements underway at Auckland include a major redevelopment of our international departures area, which we believe will result in a departures experience all New Zealanders can be proud of.”

The World Airport Survey is conducted by UK-based aviation research organisation, Skytrax. The survey covers more than 190 airports around the world with approximately 8.2 million
questionnaires completed by passengers across the world, during the 10 month survey period. Passenger interviews include a detailed appraisal for more than 40 categories of product and service quality from check-in to departure, from arrivals to baggage collection - including terminal cleanliness, staff efficiency, staff courtesy, terminal signage, security processing, immigration and customers, walking distances, as well as features like shopping, dining options, internet services.