Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports have landed the top two spots in the Middle East in a passenger satisfaction survey.
Dubai International Airport was first in the region in the survey, carried out as part of the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) initiative of the Airports Council International.
The annual ASQ Awards, published yesterday, found that Abu Dhabi International Airport had an "overall high quality of airport services and facilities" and that the airport "excelled in categories that demonstrate overall satisfaction of departing passengers".
Incheon Airport in Seoulwas voted the world's best for the seventh year in a row, with Singapore as runner-up and Beijing third.
Ahmad Al Haddabi, the chief operating officer at Abu Dhabi Airports Company, said: "The ASQ Awards have a real importance to us since the passengers actually decide on the winners, ranking Abu Dhabi International Airport once again as the second-best airport in the Middle East."
He said Abu Dhabi's place had been won despite last year being one of its most difficult.
"In 2011, Terminal 1 went through extensive refurbishment works, which was designed to expand its passenger handling capacity and ensure the delivery of quality service and experience across the airport," Mr Al Haddabi said. "During the construction works, the project was carefully undertaken while maintaining quality service in all its offerings, which is reflected in the results of the survey."
The ASQ Awards are the only global airport rankings to be based on a measure of passenger satisfaction taken while passengers are still at the gate.
Last year, more than 350,000 passengers were interviewed worldwide prior to boarding their flights. They were asked to rate their satisfaction with the airport on that day.
To be eligible for the annual ASQ awards, an airport must have participated in the ASQ survey every month of the year.
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