Mumbai Airport Drops from Global Top 10 as Changi Reclaims Lead
Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport no longer features in Travel + Leisure's annual list of the world's 10 best airports. Singapore Changi Airport has, however, reclaimed the top position in the latest rankings.
Mumbai Exits Top Tier, Changi Returns to Summit
Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport no longer features in Travel + Leisure's annual list of the world's 10 best airports. The Indian hub, which ranked ninth globally last year with a reader score of 84.23 out of 100, has exited the compilation. Singapore Changi Airport has, however, reclaimed the top position in the latest rankings. This development follows Changi's brief loss of the leading spot to Istanbul Airport in Turkey. Istanbul Airport now secures third place, with Qatar's Hamad International Airport ranking second. The Travel + Leisure list, compiled from reader surveys, provides an industry benchmark for airport service and facilities. The shift in rankings reflects evolving passenger perceptions of major global travel hubs. This information comes from a report by VnExpress International — Travel, published under the headline 'Mumbai Airport Exits Travel + Leisure Global Top 10; Changi Regains Top Spot'.
Global and Regional Airport Performance
Beyond the top three, the United Arab Emirates saw two airports enter the top five: Zayed International Airport secured fourth place, and Dubai International Airport followed at fifth. The remaining positions in the global top 10 were occupied by Hong Kong International Airport in China, Incheon International Airport in South Korea, Haneda Tokyo Airport in Japan, Shanghai Pudong International Airport in China, and Adelaide Airport in Australia. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport serves as Mumbai's primary international gateway. It forms part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region's dual-airport system, alongside Navi Mumbai International Airport. Data from British aviation firm OAG for 2025 reveals Mumbai's airport as India's second-busiest, trailing only Delhi, for both total and international passenger movements. Globally, it ranked as the 28th busiest airport by passenger traffic and 14th across Asia in the same year.
Implications for Asian Aviation
Mumbai’s exit from Travel + Leisure’s top 10 list may prompt a review of passenger services and infrastructure at the major Indian hub. As one of Asia's busiest airports, its performance in global surveys influences traveller perception and competitive standing within the region. The airport's previous ninth-place ranking underscored its capacity to deliver a high-quality passenger visit, and its current absence from the list suggests a shift in reader sentiment or a rise in standards elsewhere. The return of Singapore Changi Airport to the top position, however, reinforces its reputation as a leading aviation hub, setting a benchmark for other regional airports. This outcome highlights the ongoing competition among Asian gateways to attract international traffic and elevate service standards. Airports across the Asia-Pacific region consistently feature prominently in global rankings, demonstrating a collective focus on passenger experience and operational efficiency. For travellers, these rankings offer insights into airport quality, potentially influencing route choices and layover preferences. Industry stakeholders will observe if Mumbai's airport implements initiatives to improve its standing in future passenger satisfaction assessments, especially as global travel demand continues to evolve and regional competition intensifies.
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