Auckland Airport stars on global stage

Auckland Airport stars on global stage at the 2011 Skytrax awards

Voted 8th best airport worldwide by 11.38 million travellers, up from 9th in 2010

Best airport in Australia Pacific – for 3rd year running

Commitment to making journeys better delivering results

Auckland Airport has continued to improve on its outstanding global reputation, today being voted the eighth best airport in the world (up from ninth last year) and the best airport in the Australia Pacific region (for the third year in a row) in the 2011 independent Skytrax World Airport awards.

Auckland Airport is the only airport from the Australia Pacific region to make the elite Skytrax top-10 global list, and has headed off strong competition from across the Tasman to win the Best Airport Australia Pacific trophy.

Auckland Airport’s chief executive, Simon Moutter, was thrilled about the news. “In recent years, we have been totally focused on making each passenger journey better. That focus is now being reflected in the Skytrax awards, with our rating improving over the last three years from tenth, to ninth, and now to eighth best rated airport in the world. It is proof yet again that New Zealand can compete on the global stage in many different fields, including tourism.”

”We’re grateful to all the travellers who voted for us, and to the entire Auckland Airport community who work so tirelessly making journeys better and delivering world-class customer service. The more we get this right, the bigger the role we can play in growing New Zealand travel, trade and tourism.”

“This successful outcome is very much driven by passengers. We work exceptionally hard to listen, to understand what they want, and to do what we can to meet their needs and provide them with great product and service choices,” said Mr Moutter

Announced at The Skytrax World Airport Awards ceremony, held yesterday evening in Copenhagen, Skytrax World Airport Awards are the industry’s most extensive and credible air traveller-based awards. The Awards are based on a survey of airport customers conducted between July 2010 and March 2011, covering more than 11.38 million travellers from over 115 different countries.

Mr Moutter believes that a great passenger experience starts from when someone first arrives at the airport to when their plane lifts off the runway, “Everyone here has a role to play in making a difference to the passenger journey. Every improvement matters, no matter how little or big.”

Auckland Airport and Customs, Bio-security, Aviation Security and baggage-handling partners Menzies, Air New Zealand and Skycare have invested a lot of effort into efficiency methodologies and smart technologies. Mr Moutter said, “As a result, we now have a significantly improved passenger processing experience, with our average processing times now quicker than ever before, which has been clearly recognised by the passengers in the Skytrax survey.”

“In addition, over the last 12 months alone we have completed a major upgrade of our international departures area, combining a unique and iconic design with world-class retail offers, and a great range of new food and beverage offers.”

Mr Moutter added, “These Skytrax awards are rewarding because they reflect the genuine New Zealand experiences that travellers have had in terms of the friendliness, can-do attitude and responsiveness of all the people they meet. By continuing to provide a great first and last impression of New Zealand, we can all help encourage repeat visitors and positive referrals and in turn help drive travel and tourism demand and economic growth.”

Edward Plaisted, Chairman of Skytrax, noted that Auckland International Airport proved a repeat winner as Best Airport Australia/Pacific in 2011, "Receiving praise from customers for delivering a typically friendly standard of Kiwi service, airport users also showed improved satisfaction levels for security and immigration procedures.”

Hong Kong International Airport beat off strong competition to be voted the best airport in the world for 2011. For the full list of the Skytrax airport awards see www.worldairportawards.com.

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