The worst airports to set foot in have been named for this year. Have you ever dreaded getting off the plane and to endure some moments of gloom?
Nigeria’s port Harcourt International Airport has had the misfortune of being crowned the “world’s worst airport” for 2015 by SleepingInAirports. The online guide to airports conducted a survey in which they asked travellers to rate airport experiences based on services, facilities available to them, cleanliness, customer service, comfort and the overall airport experience.
According to SleepingInAirports, there are a number of airports that just didn’t make global standards. These bottom of the list airports received the most negative feedback from voters in 2015.
Having fallen flat in terms of overall experience; dirtiness, smelliness, unfriendliness and discomfort are only some of the things voters used to describe these gateways to the world.
Critiques and comments forewarn fellow travellers to dodge “these nightmares at all costs’.
Buckle up!
1. Port Harcourt International Airport, Nigeria
Travellers warn “the most corrupt airport in the world. ‘Bring money’ as they say in PH.” A standing joke.
The worst airport in Africa is also the worst in the world. Port Harcourt wins when it comes to alleged bribery and corruption. Terminal staff are rude and unaccommodating. There is no seating for tired travellers, broken air-con and the Arrivals Hall is a tent. Any amount of time spent in this airport is painful. However, some areas have recently been renovated with real floors, walls and windows, explains SleepingInAirports.
2. Jeddah King Abdulaziz International Airport, Saudi Arabia (JED)
Travellers warn that the immigration counter is a “joke” of note. Airport staff offer no sense of urgency, constantly fiddle on their cellphones and chit-chat.
Jeddah’s International Airport has been crowned as the most annoying and crowded of airports. Described as unclean and the airport’s smoking laws seem to only cause confusion. Unpleasant odours make its way from the bathrooms into lounges. Travellers spend hours in the immigration queues with unhelpful staff. JED is no place to find rest, pass by quickly. According to SleepingInAirports, a new JED airport is scheduled to open in mid-2016.
3. Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport, Nepal (KTM)
Travellers warn of purposefully dehydrating themselves to avoid using the lavatory.
Nepal’s only international airport gathered criticism over the past year, during which Nepal suffered tremendous losses due to a shattering earthquake in April, 2015.
The airport runway was slowly repaired and restoring its flight schedule was no easy task during a national state of emergency. According to SleepingInAirports, voters described it as a bus station with unsanitary restrooms.
4.Tashkent International Airport, Uzbekistan (TAS)
Travellers warn Tashkent is “Dante’s circles of hell”. Prepare to go on a long journey of… waiting.
Tashkent acts as the primary airport for Central Asia. Queues and overcrowding make the overall experience unpleasant. To make matters worse, travellers become aggressive and the lack of control on behalf of ground staff means things often end in chaos. SleepingInAirports suggests that travellers should be prepared to defend their spot in the line.
5. Caracas Simón Bolívar International Airport, Venezuela (CCS)
Travellers warn this South America airport is chaotic and unnerving.
Winning the award for dull, uncomfortable and having bad-quality food. For travellers looking for a place to rest their wary bones, look to the floor. Added to this, dirty conditions and nosey police officers know how to make matters worse. Free Wi-Fi and private lounge up the ante only slightly for this airport.
6. Port au Prince Toussaint Louverture International Airport, Haiti (PAP)
Travellers warn of being stranded for 8 hours in 35 degree weather, with loud screaming and lots of irritated passengers.
Haiti’s international airport brings back memories of unbearable heat, limited seating and dishonest staff to travellers. Bathrooms are cleaned at a whim and baggage porters are known to be outrageously rude. SleepingInAirports recommends travellers keep valuables close by and it’s probably a good idea to pack plenty of your own padkos.
7. Kabul Hamid Karzai International Airport, Afghanistan (KBL)
Travellers warn of no facilities and adding any would be a great “improvement. “
A destination known for dangerous living conditions, SleepingInAirports explains that they are reluctant to complain too much about this airport. Domestic arrivals has a lack of comfort and staff are unreliable. Once again, given the state of affairs in the country, there are greater concerns than free Wi-Fi and pumpkin lattes.
8. Ho Chi Minh City Tân Son Nh?t International Airport, Vietnam (SGN)
Travellers recommend making matters pleasant by getting rid of all the bribery.
This airport has suffered high levels of alleged corruption in recent years. Survey data shows that custom officers bribe their way out of simple tasks and getting paper work done is a nightmare. Complaints about poor Wi-Fi and limited restaurants rank high. SleepingInAirports advises to keep goods close and your best choice for food is the Burger King.
9. Islamabad Benazir Bhutto International Airport, Pakistan (ISB)
Travellers warn – Security are bad-mannered and are known to simply ignore questions.
Islamabad Benzair has been on the worst list in previous years. In December 2014, the airport’s twitter account mentioned plans to improve their guest’s experience, says SleepingInAirports. They have since upgraded restrooms and opened a new lounge. A new terminal is set to open by the end of 2016. Meanwhile, the airport is still grubby and ground staff are unable to control big crowds.
10.Paris Beauvais-Tille International Airport outside Paris, France (BVA)
Travellers warn – This is where the 7th circle of hell is.
This European airport is considered an upgrade compared to the others. But it lacks furniture, old machinery and insufficient restrooms. Voted as the worst airport in Europe, it is unhygienic and is the ultimate test for how much you really want to see Paris.