President Chung Il-young of Incheon International Airport holds up the trophy of the world’s best airport with Airports Council International Chairman Declan Collier after the former received the prize from the latter in Mauritius on Oct. 17.

Incheon International Airport had its names called four times at the Swami Vivekananda International Convention Center in Mauritius, the venue of the Annual Airport Service Quality Awards on Oct. 17.  More than 700 airport officials from around the world were in attendance. 

Incheon International Airport snatched the No. 1 position in three categories Best Airport in the World, Best Airport in Asia-Pacific, and Best Airport Less Than 25-40 Million Passengers. The airport also won a special award given to top winners who captured prizes in one or more categories for the fifth consecutive year. 

The Airport Service Quality Awards are given out every year based on the outcome of a one-on-one survey of airport passengers conducted by the Airports Council International (ACI). Last year, 550,000 passengers responded to such questions as airports officials’ kindness and airport utilization convenience. 

Incheon International Airport got 4.99 points out of the possible 5 to be named the world’s best airport, presented by the Airports Council International. Changi International Airport in Singapore was the runner-up, and Beijing Capital International Airport ranked 3rd. 

Incheon International Airport being named the world’s best airport for 2016 marks the 12th consecutive year it won the prize. However, Incheon Airport’s winning streak will come to an end, as the airport decided not to participate in further ASQ evaluations. 

Instead, Incheon International Airport plans to concentrate on the successful opening of its 2nd passenger terminal slated for early next year. President Chung Il-young of Incheon International Airport Corp. said, “We’ll devote ourselves to making Incheon International Airport the world’s No. 1 ‘smart airport’ by mobilizing such new technologies as robots, IoT, big data and biometrics.” 

An aerial view of Incheon International Airport, named as the world’s best airport for the 12th consecutive year by the ACI.

The airport ‘s Passenger Terminal II is to be opened to public service early next year.