What do you dislike most about Airports?

Well there is a lot to dislike about airports when you really think about it; there’s the Pre-travel arrangements for a start, getting to the airport, especially a Budget airport and if that isn’t bad enough we then have the pleasure of actually arriving to the airport itself, not knowing what we may find when we get there!
Depending upon which airport you find yourself in, the service, attitude and facilities can vary dramatically often lacking consistency when it comes to Rules and Regulations by this I also refer to Security. It’s difficult to find two airports who operate by exactly the same system and layout.

What we need is a team of independent international “Airport Inspectors” representing consumers to check and regulate Airport facilities in order to ensure that the Perpetual Traveler out there has it least some fundamental comforts concerning communications, toilet related conveniences, clean water, soap and somewhere to eat and adequate public seating, I’m surprised how few airports provide quality services to meet the number of passengers they process.

When it comes to travel in the 21st Century in the era of downgraded Budget services, its not always an easy or pleasant experience, so it pays to prepare pack for all eventualities, yet still try to travel with Hand luggage only to avoid the increasing problem of lost and delayed luggage.

As the “Airport Issue” is generating more moans than ever from travellers these days we decided to create our own POLL with the help of our friends at Plaxo. We asked a simple question “What do you dislike most about Airports”.

The below results demonstrated that since the introduction of the liquid rules, the security process is the resounding winner in this hotly contested airport complaint contest. Of course even if we dared to mention this to the authorities it would fall on deaf ears as they and we will rc the same old rhetoric about terrorists and the important need for security. We understand this to a degree, although security is still lax in many airports and re are surly better ways to deal with this issue. The main point is that security officials are often rude and queues in some airports are still unacceptably long.

In joint second place is unfriendly check-in staff (cannot blame terrorism for that) and long check-in queues. This comes as a result of Airports in collaboration with Airlines seeking to find cost efficiencies by reducing staff levels and by employment of lower quality staff with less training. Check-in staff are under more pressure with new security rules, electronic demands, luggage restrictions and related charges in addition to dealing with passengers already arriving angry to the desk due to long queues. They tend to receive on average less and less customer service training, which is why we perceive them as unfriendly.

Expensive food is another sore point, as clearly most airports around the world with a captive audience hike prices. There are few exceptions.

Parking has always traditionally been high at airports as space is limited, coupled with the fact that the Airport Authorities take advantage wherever they can.

WiFi costs are usually a rip off, although some proactive airports actually offer free WiFi. For frequent travellers and users, we recommend signing up to a BOINGO account. Boingo boast 100,000 Hot Spots and its reasonable if you are a regular user. See www.boingo.com/ for details.

Moving back to the survey, check out the below responses, as they seem reflective of the current status all things considered of Airports on a global scale.

TOP 10 THINGS WE DISLIKE ABOUT AIRPORTS

The Security process - 24%

Unfriendly check-in staff - 20%

Long check-in queues - 20%

Expensive food and drink costs - 14%

Expensive Parking - 8%

Expensive WiFi costs - 4%

Immigration check - 4%

Customs control - 2%

Repetitive Duty Free Shops - 1%

Lack of comfortable seating - 1%

So who’s doing it right? On the bright side there are some spectacular passenger friendly airports out there. See below for the cream of the worlds airports. Clearly the Asians have mastered how to structure and operate an airport. Its fascinating to see no US or UK airports featured in the top ten and just a few European Airports all of which are in the North of Europe. One other point worthy of mention is that I am sure Middle Eastern Airports such as the new terminal in Dubai, that of Abu Dhabi and perhaps Qatar will all figure in the best of the rest in the future.

The Top 10 Airports in the world for 2008

For Hong Kong to be named winner of World’s Best Airport title for the 7th time in ten years is a truly notable achievement. To retain this title amidst such strong competition is testament to an airport that is clearly serving it’s customers well.
1 Hong Kong (1)
2 Singapore Changi (2)
3 Seoul Incheon (2)
4 Kuala Lumpur KLIA (5)
5 Munich (4)
6 Kansai (9)
7 Copenhagen (11)
8 Zurich (6)
9 Helsinki (12)
10 Cape Town (13)

*Source Travellers choice awards

Further Information: link to: www.airlinequality.com