The World Airport Awards 2013 – recently released by Skytrax, a United Kingdom-based company specialising in airline and airport research – has ranked the top airports in the world, including those in Africa. The results show that South African airports take a considerable lead over other airports on the continent and, in some cases, the world.

According to Skytrax, over 12 million passengers from more than 160 countries were surveyed. The survey looked at traveller experiences across 39 different categories – from the check-in process to airport shopping – and covers just under 400 airports.

Only three African airports made the global top 100 list and these were all from South Africa. These airports were placed highly across a number of categories, and all three improved in their global ranking from the previous year.

South African airports dominate the African rankings

South Africa’s Cape Town International Airport has been ranked as the top airport in Africa, and 22^nd globally. This has been a five-point increase up the global rankings, from 27^th place in 2012. Cape Town is also ranked as the best airport in the world in the category of airports with 5-10 million passengers per year. Interestingly, the airport is said to have the 6^th best airport staff in the world, and the best in Africa.

Durban’s King Shaka International Airport in South Africa is rated as the second best airport on the continent. It is ranked in 26^th position globally, a nine point increase up the rankings from 35^th position in 2012. It is also placed as the best airport in the world for the category of airports with under five million passengers per year. In addition, King Shaka has the 2^nd best airport staff in Africa, and it is rated as the best regional airport on the continent.

The third best ranked airport in Africa is Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport – positioned at 28^th place globally, an improvement of three places from its 31^st position in 2012. In the category for airports with 10-20 million passengers per year, OR Tambo is ranked as the 9^th best airport in the world. InterContinental at OR Tambo Airport was ranked as the best airport hotel in Africa, with the Garden Court coming in at 3^rd place.

These three South African airports all appeared in the top third of the global 100 list, beating well known airports such as the Dubai International Airport (33^rd) and the Sydney Airport (31^st). What is truly impressive is that all three South African airports were ranked higher than any American airport this year.

Other South African airports to make the list for the top 10 airports in Africa include the East London Airport, ranked 6^th in Africa and 4^th in terms of best airport staff on the continent. It is also ranked as the 2^nd best regional airport in Africa.

South Africa’s Port Elizabeth Airport was ranked as the 8^th best airport in Africa and 5^th in terms of its airport staff. It was also ranked as the 3^rd best regional airport on the continent.

Africa ranked

While only Cape Town, King Shaka and OR Tambo represented Africa in the rankings of the top 100 airports in the world, the survey did rate the top 10 African airports, which has only changed slightly from the previous year.

Top 10 airports in Africa

2013 ranking	Airport	Country	2012 ranking
1	Cape Town International Airport	South Africa	1
2	Durban's King Shaka International Airport	South Africa	3
3	Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport	South Africa	2
4	Cairo International Airport	Egypt	4
5	Mauritius International Airport	Mauritius	5
6	East London Airport	South Africa	6
7	Addis Ababa Bole International Airport	Ethiopia	7
8	Port Elizabeth Airport	South Africa	N/A
9	Marrakech Menara International Airport	Morocco	8
10	Seychelles International Airport	Seychelles	9

Egypt: The Cairo International Airport has been ranked as the 4^th best airport in Africa, with the Novotel Cairo Airport being named the 2^nd best airport hotel on the continent.

Mauritius: The Mauritius International Airport took the 5^th position in Africa, with no change since the previous year.

The survey also rated regional airports in Africa. South Africa and North African countries, such as Morocco and Egypt, dominated this list.

Top 10 regional airports in Africa

2013 ranking	Airport	Country
1	Durban's King Shaka International Airport	South Africa
2	East London Airport	South Africa
3	Port Elizabeth Airport	South Africa
4	Marrakech Menara International Airport	Morocco
5	Bloemfontein Airport	South Africa
6	Tunis–Carthage International Airport	Tunisia
7	Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport	Morocco
8	Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport	Egypt
9	Douala Airport	Cameroon
10	Hurghada International Airport	Egypt