Port Harcourt International Airport in Nigeria has been voted the world’s worst airport, according to the result of a survey and opinions of 26,000 passengers who took part in the survey The airport topped the Guide to Sleeping in Airports world’s worst airports 2015 list, which surveyed over 26,000 fliers to find out the best and worst airports around the globe.
Ranked as the worst airport in Africa and one of the worst in the world, voters suggested Port Harcourt Airport should also win the title of most corrupt airport in the world. The terminal’s unpleasant and unhelpful staff help to earn it this trifecta of atrocious awards.
With virtually no seating, broken air-conditioning and a tent for an Arrivals Hall, it was a struggle for many voters to pass the minimum required amount of time here. The good news is that some areas of the terminal have been recently renovated, meaning you can expect actual walls, floors and windows.
Though it is a far cry from reasonable, improvements are being made. “This has to be the most corrupt airport in the world. ‘Bring money’ as they say in PH. It’s a standing joke,” said a traveller. Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah King Abdulaziz airport was second on the list – as it was last year – due to passengers’ annoyance at the “crowded, chaotic and unclean” Hajj terminal. A new airport in Jeddah is scheduled to open next year.
Here’s the list in full:
1. Port Harcourt International Airport (Nigeria)
2. King Abdulaziz International Airport (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia)
3. Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu, Nepal)
4. Tashkent International Airport (Uzbekistan)
5. Simon Bolivar International Airport (Caracas, Venezuela)
6. Toussaint Louverture International Airport (Port au Prince, Haiti)
7. Hamid Karzai International Airport (Kabul, Afghanistan)
8. Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)
9. Benazir Bhutto International Airport (Islamabad, Pakistan)
10. Beauvais-Tille International Airport (Paris)
Analysis by CNN
Worst: 1. Port Harcourt International Airport (Nigeria) – Unpleasant and unhelpful staff, a lack of seating, broken air-conditioning and the fact the arrivals hall was inside a tent were among complaints listed by Sleeping in Airports about Port Harcourt International.
Worst: 2. Jeddah King Abdulaziz International Airport (Saudi Arabia) – “From smoking in non-smoking areas to the bathroom odor wafting out into the lounges, few people sang praises after spending time here,” said Sleeping in Airports. A number of voters suggested booking layovers elsewhere — at all costs. There is some positive news — the new Jeddah Airport is scheduled to open mid-2016.
Worst: 3. Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu, Nepal) – Though Nepal’s only international airport gathered ample criticism over the past year, Sleeping in Airports stressed the country has been under considerable pressure following April’s devastating earthquake that damaged its sole runway. “Given this, voters had understandably poor experiences at the airport, particularly within the domestic terminal,” said the website. “The good news is that KTM is currently re-building the much-loathed domestic terminal.”
Worst: 4. Tashkent International Airport (Uzbekistan) – In spite of a few recent upgrades to the departures area, the queues and crowds at Tashkent International Airport continue to be a frustrating experience. “Worsening the situation is that these queues are often chaotic-verging-on-aggressive, and lack any form of crowd control,” said Sleeping in Airports.
Worst: 5. Simón Bolívar International Airport (Caracas, Venezuela) – According to voters who responded to this year’s Sleeping in Airports survey, Caracas International Airport is chaotic, uncomfortable and dull. “An absence of chairs and dirty bathrooms worsen the experience here — to say nothing of the low quality of food.” said the website.
Worst: 6. Toussaint Louverture International Airport (Port au Prince, Haiti) – Sweltering heat, a lack of chairs and untrustworthy staff were the biggest complaints among travelers who gave Haiti’s international gateway the thumbs down. “The good news is that renovations are said to be currently underway, giving a little bit of hope to the future of PAP,” said Sleeping in Airports.
Worst: 7. Hamid Karzai International Airport (Kabul, Afghanistan) – “Given the current political state of Afghanistan relative to other nations on this global list, we’re reluctant to criticize Kabul’s international airport too harshly,” said Sleeping in Airports, noting that the international terminal has undergone a number of renovations over the last decade, making it a little more friendly to travelers. Voters complained about overall cleanliness, a lack of comfort and the accountability of staff.
Worst: 8. Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam) – Numerous survey respondents made allegations of impropriety, says Sleeping in Airports. CNN’s attempts to reach the airport for comment were unsuccessful. Lesser complaints included poor Wi-Fi signals, dirty bathrooms and a limited restaurant selection.
Worst: 9. Benazir Bhutto International Airport (Islamabad, Pakistan) – Ranked the world’s “Worst Airport of 2014,” Islamabad’s international airport has seen improvements over the past year, said Sleeping in Airports. Washrooms have been upgraded, while a new lounge has been added. The airport also increased the number of check-in and immigration counters. Nonetheless, critics say it could still use a good scrub, better crowd control and friendlier staff.
Worst: 10. Beauvais-Tille International Airport (Paris) – “If the 7th Circle of Hell were a place on earth, it would be ‘Paris’ Beauvais-Tille,” said one traveler who responded to the Guide to Sleeping in Airports’ 2015 best/worst airport survey. Why all the hate? According to the travel site, grievances generally revolve around the absence of chairs, kind staff, sufficient toilets and hygienic standards.
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