Global Airport Cleanliness Rankings for 2026 Revealed by Skytrax's World Airport Awards

The latest rankings of the world's cleanest airports, published as part of the World Airport Awards organized by Skytrax, once again highlight the dominance of Asian airports and the persistent gaps in airport cleanliness and service quality worldwide.

Based on a comprehensive passenger satisfaction survey of millions of international travelers, this ranking evaluates the overall cleanliness of terminals, restrooms, boarding areas, and public spaces. It relies on passenger-perceived criteria, making it a quality-of-service indicator rather than a technical audit, and directly reflects the user experience in major global airports.

Top 10 Cleanest Airports in the World

In the category of major airports, Tokyo Haneda Airport takes the top spot, confirming Japan's reputation for rigorous airport management and maintenance. It is followed by Seoul Incheon Airport and Singapore Changi Airport, both regularly cited among the world's top-performing airports. The top 10 also includes Tokyo Narita Airport, Hong Kong International Airport, Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Kansai International Airport, Zurich Airport, Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, and Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport.

Cleanest Airports in the 30-Million-Plus Passenger Category

In the category of airports serving up to 30 million passengers per year, New Chitose Airport takes the top spot, followed by Chubu Centrair International Airport and Fukuoka Airport. This category also highlights the presence of airports like Bahrain International Airport, Osaka Itami Airport, Brisbane Airport, Cam Ranh International Airport, Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, Muscat International Airport, and William P. Hobby Airport.

Regional Cleanest Airports

At the regional level, Africa is represented by Cape Town International Airport, designated as the cleanest airport on the continent. In Asia, Tokyo Haneda Airport maintains its leadership. In the Australia-Pacific region, Brisbane Airport takes the top spot, while China is represented by Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. Europe is dominated by Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport, the Middle East by Bahrain International Airport, and North America by William P. Hobby Airport. South America is represented by Mariscal Sucre International Airport, Central Asia by Almaty International Airport, South Asia by Manohar International Airport, and Central America by Punta Cana International Airport.

Notable Absence of Tunisian Airports

The absence of Tunisian airports, including Tunis–Carthage International Airport, from this ranking is notable. While several African countries have managed to feature in regional distinctions, Tunisia has yet to meet international cleanliness standards measured by Skytrax. This absence raises questions about the competitiveness of Tunisia's airport infrastructure compared to regional competitors like South Africa, which regularly features in rankings.

Global Implications

The ranking reveals a relative marginalization of Africa in global quality standards, with only one airport represented. In North Africa, no airport is distinguished, highlighting a structural lag in passenger experience, maintenance, and investment in airport services. In contrast, Asian regions and some Gulf airports continue to dominate due to sustained modernization policies and high operational standards.

This ranking confirms a fundamental trend: airport cleanliness and perceived quality have become a strategic marker of international competitiveness, directly influencing a country's tourism and economic image.