Islamabad airport voted the worst in the world: Poll

Travellers complain about Benazir Bhutto International Airport’s inability to handle passengers, maintain...

ISLAMABAD:

The Benazir Bhutto International airport in Islamabad has been voted as the worst in the world, knocking Manila off the top of the unenviable list, The Independent reported.

According to a poll by the Guide to Sleeping at Airports website, the Islamabad airport was voted as the worst based on comfort, facilities, cleanliness and customer service.

The Worst Airports of 2014 report included a quote from a traveller who compared the airport to a “central prison” because of “aggressive security checks”, crowds and dirt.

“Travellers have also complained about the airport’s inability to handle passengers for over a decade – and thankfully, it seems the end of ISB is near,” the site said.

“A new airport is slated to be completed for mid-2016, which should dramatically improve air travel to the city."

Jeddah's King Abdulaziz International Airport, in Saudi Arabia follows Islamabad in the list at second place, while Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport, in Nepal clocks in at third. Manila, which was knocked off the top slot, now occupies fourth place on the list.

While the appearance of airports from developing countries can be expected, the list also features a number of airports with countries from the European Union and the USA.

From the European contingent, Paris's Beauvais-Tille International Airport is listed at number six owing primarily to its location, nearly 88 kilometer from the city centre and access restricted to private transport or the airport shuttle.

The Beauvais-Tille shares the slot with Germany's Frankfurt Hahn International Airport. It one-ups its Parisian counterpart, located 120 km away from Frankfurt city centre.

Bergamo Orio al Serio International Airport in Italy and the Berlin Tegel International Airport in Germany come in at eight and nine on the list respectively.

New York's LaGuardia International Airport completes the list at 10 for its security lines, drab décor, poor restaurant selection, lackluster cleanliness, counterintuitive layout and the notoriously unhelpful staff.