The Incheon International Airport (President & CEO Lee Chae-wook) announced it won the United Kingdom-based airline service consultancy Skytrax’s World's Best Airport 2012 award, on 20th April 2012 (Korean time 00:30), in Vienna, Austria.

Founded in 1989, Skytrax, a British-based firm, has been recognized as conducting the world’s largest survey of its type, and for the clarity of assessment in the area of airline service research, conducts an annual evaluation of airlines and airport services industries.

The World’s Best Airport Awards are based on 12 million passenger, business travelers and travel groups (online and offline) survey questionnaires completed during a 10-month period, from May 2011 to February 2012, covering 390 airports in 108 countries. Totally independent and professional, the industry survey evaluates passenger experience across 39 airport service and product features, from arrival at an airport, through to transit and departure processes to the boarding gate. 

The President & CEO of Incheon International Airport, Lee Chae-wook said, “The award is the result of continuous changes and innovation made by the airport’s 35,000 staff. We will lead the world’s airport industry by continuing to provide a standout and creative service that meets the standards expected of the World’s Best Airport.”

Aside this, Incheon International Airport has ranked top in the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) passenger satisfaction survey by the Airports Council International (ACI) for the seventh consecutive year and was named the best airport for the 6th consecutive year by the US Global Traveler Magazine. By achieving the grand-slam of international airport awards, Incheon International Airport has established itself firmly as one of the premier international airports and helped raise Korea’s international reputation.

[ ASQ vs SKYTRAX ]

ASQ vs SKYTRAX

Classification	ASQ	SKYTRAX	GT Tested Awards
Organized	ACI, Airports Council International	SKYTRAX (UK, Founded in 1989, Air Transport Consultancy)	Global Traveler (Magazine US, Air, Travel Magazine)
Assessment target	Airports (186)	Airports (388), airlines, airport hotels	Airlines, airport, hotel, tourist attractions, etc.
Assessment categories	34	39	-
Assessment methods	1:1 interview	Online survey, interview, telephone	Online, email, open surveys
Survey	Departing passengers (350,000)	Passengers, expert groups, travel agencies (12 mil)	Online & offline subscribers (35,000)
Assessment period	January-December (12 mths)	May-February (10 mths)	January-August (8 mths)
Area & awards	5 areas divided into 24 categories	6 areas divided into 51 categories	5 areas divided into 60 categories

As testimony to its reputation 6,000 people have visited the airport, from all over the world, to study the airport, since opening in 2001. Utilizing this brand power, the Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC), pushed ahead with overseas business projects. In 2009, the airport provided consultant services for the operation of the Iraq’s Erbil International Airport. Also, Incheon International Airport conducted operational and development projects in Russia, The Philippines, Nepal and Indonesia. In moving Incheon Airport to the next level, IIAC took shares in a Russian airport in July 2011, succeeded over other countries’ airport operating corporations. The airport’s overseas business interests have been expanded to include share acquisition, BOT operations and a joint-venture company.