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Airports Council International (ACI World) annually recognizes airports that demonstrate excellence in customer service, based on ASQ departure and arrival surveys. The results of these surveys determine the winners of the ASQ Awards — a global benchmark for measuring airport passenger satisfaction.
ASQ Awards in a nutshell
Survey-driven: ASQ is based on passenger feedback for both departures and arrivals.
Global benchmark: ASQ Awards are widely seen as a standard for passenger satisfaction.
Fair comparison: airports are grouped by annual passenger traffic.
Real impact: the program encourages airports worldwide to keep improving service.
What passengers feel: comfort, safety, and a pleasant airport experience.
More than 40 million passengers per year
25 to 40 million passengers per year
· Copenhagen Airport (Copenhagen, Denmark)
· Malpensa Airport (Milan, Italy)
· Palma de Mallorca Airport (Palma, Spain)
· Zurich Airport (Zurich, Switzerland)
15 to 25 million passengers per year
· Aeropuerto de Alicante-Elche (Alicante, Spain)
· Helsinki Airport (Helsinki, Finland)
5 to 15 million passengers per year
· Aeroporto di Roma-Ciampino (Rome, Italy)
· Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (Belgrade, Serbia)
· Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (Izmir, Turkey)
· Keflavik International Airport (Keflavík, Iceland)
· Linate Airport (Milan, Italy)
· Malta International Airport (Luqa, Malta)
· Porto Airport (Porto, Portugal)
· Thessaloniki Airport Makedonia (Thessaloniki, Greece)
2 to 5 million passengers per year
· Aeropuerto de Menorca (Menorca, Spain)
· Milas-Bodrum Airport (Milas, Turkey)
· Skopje International Airport (Skopje, North Macedonia)
· Tallinn Airport (Tallinn, Estonia)
Up to 2 million passengers per year
· Aeropuerto de El Hierro (Valverde, Spain)
· Aeropuerto de Girona – Costa Brava (Costa Brava, Spain)
· Aeropuerto de Reus (Reus, Spain)
· Aeropuerto Internacional Región de Murcia (Murcia, Spain)
· Almeria Airport (Almería, Spain)
· Inverness Airport (Inverness, United Kingdom)
Introduced in 2006, the ASQ program became more than a measurement tool — it also helped drive airports around the world to improve service quality. Every airport on this list achieved strong results thanks to a commitment to excellence, offering passengers not only comfort and safety, but also genuinely pleasant impressions of the time spent within their walls.
What to do
If your trip takes you through one of the airports on this list, use the moment to “feel” the difference: arrive a bit earlier, move through formalities calmly, and notice the service details that shape a smooth journey.
Watch the flow: signage, queues, security checks, and how easy it is to navigate.
Test comfort: seating, cleanliness, quiet zones, outlets, and available services.
Keep notes: what worked well and what didn’t — handy for planning future flights.
1-day itinerary
If you have a short connection or just one day around the airport, keep the pace comfortable: allocate enough time for procedures, take a proper break to eat and rest, then head back to the gate early — leaving room for a stress-free boarding.
2-day itinerary
Two days give you extra flexibility: on day one, experience the airport’s service without rushing; on day two, plan your departure with a buffer so the flight feels like a natural continuation of the trip — not a last-minute sprint.
How to get there / flights
When planning flights through an airport on this list, check your terminal in advance and allow extra time for security and (if applicable) passport control. A small time buffer can turn a connection into a calm, comfortable experience.
Source & related reads
Source: tengritravel.kz
FAQ: award-winning airports and ASQ
What are the ASQ Awards?
They are awards determined by passenger surveys that reflect the real airport experience.
Who is ACI World?
Airports Council International (ACI World) recognizes airports with excellent service based on ASQ results.
Why are passenger surveys important?
They capture comfort, clarity of processes, staff interaction, and the overall feel of the airport.
How are airports grouped in this list?
By annual passenger traffic — from major hubs to smaller regional airports.
What do passengers notice first in an airport?
Queues, cleanliness, signage, staff helpfulness, and the comfort of waiting areas.
How can this list help when choosing a connection?
It helps you prioritize airports known for better service, especially for tighter connections.
Does an award guarantee a perfect trip?
Not always, but it’s a strong indicator of consistently well-managed passenger experience.
When was the ASQ program introduced?
The text mentions that the program was introduced in 2006.
Can smaller airports win too?
Yes — airports compete within their passenger-traffic category, so service quality can shine at any scale.
What do the winners have in common?
A clear focus on excellence — comfort, safety, and positive impressions for passengers.
How do you make a connection feel less stressful?
Check the terminal, plan enough time for checks, and leave a buffer for navigation and queues.
Where can I find more related reads?
See the “You may also like” section for links to Admiral.Travel articles.
