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Istanbul Airport named 'world’s best' for 2nd consecutive year by US travel magazine

Aerial view of Istanbul Airport during ground operations in Türkiye, November 16, 2024. (AA Photo)
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Aerial view of Istanbul Airport during ground operations in Türkiye, November 16, 2024. (AA Photo)
July 17, 2025 02:58 PM GMT+03:00

Istanbul Airport has once again been named the world’s best international airport by readers of the U.S.-based travel magazine Travel and Leisure on Thursday.

The recognition comes as part of the magazine’s annual global survey, which asks readers to evaluate airports based on criteria such as accessibility, check-in experience, security procedures, dining and shopping options, and architectural design.

Award ceremony held in New York

The award was presented in New York, where Travel and Leisure is headquartered. Jacqueline Gifford, the magazine’s editor-in-chief, handed the trophy to Gokhan Sengul, corporate communications director at IGA, the Istanbul Airport's operator, during the ceremony.

Sengul emphasized that international acknowledgment of Istanbul Airport’s service quality—beyond technical performance—also reflects the appreciation of Türkiye’s cultural hospitality. He stated that the recognition contributes not only to IGA’s reputation but also to the international profile of Istanbul and Türkiye’s cultural heritage.

IGA Corporate Communications Director Gokhan Sengul (L) and Advertising, Events and Sponsorship Manager Emrah Akalin (R) receive the award from Travel and Leisure Editor-in-Chief Jacqueline Gifford (C) at the World’s Best Awards ceremony in New York, U.S., July 16, 2025. (AA Photo)
IGA Corporate Communications Director Gokhan Sengul (L) and Advertising, Events and Sponsorship Manager Emrah Akalin (R) receive the award from Travel and Leisure Editor-in-Chief Jacqueline Gifford (C) at the World’s Best Awards ceremony in New York, U.S., July 16, 2025. (AA Photo)

Repeat winner tops global list

Istanbul Airport first appeared in the Travel and Leisure rankings in 2021, becoming the first airport in Türkiye to do so. It has since maintained a strong presence, topping the list for the second year in a row.

Other airports listed in this year’s “Top 10 International Airports” include:

  • Changi Airport (Singapore)
  • Hamad International Airport (Qatar)
  • Zayed International Airport (United Arab Emirates)
  • Dubai International Airport (United Arab Emirates)
  • Hong Kong International Airport
  • Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (Finland)
  • Haneda Airport (Japan)
  • Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (India)
  • Incheon International Airport (South Korea)

Travel and Leisure reaches more than 16 million readers monthly, making the award one of the most widely recognized honors in the global travel industry.

July 17, 2025 02:58 PM GMT+03:00
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