Airports in Asia

Situated 20 miles (32km) from Abu Dhabi’s city center, Abu Dhabi International Airport is the second biggest in the United Arab Emirates, after Dubai International.

It was also the first airport in the Middle East to receive regulatory approval for enhanced low-visibility operators. This classification is expected to minimize delays as a result of fog and sand storms, and has only been given to a select number of airports across the world.

There are currently three terminals at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Terminals 1 and 2 handle most of the traffic, and Terminal 3 is the more luxurious Etihad Terminal. Thanks to a direct highway that feeds into the city, transfers into Abu Dhabi are generally quick and painless, even in the heat and traffic congestion of a busy summer’s day.

Abu Dhabi International Airport is an often chaotic introduction to the modern metropolis of Abu Dhabi and its many attractions, although with the development of Terminal 3, Etihad passengers (at least) are assured a most comfortable experience.

Al Ain International Airport is the smaller of two airports located in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, roughly eight miles (18km) northwest of the resort city of Al Ain. The Al Ain Airport (also known as Matar al-Ayn ad-Dowaly Airport in Arabic) has only one terminal, one runway and an airline taxiway. At present seven airlines operate from this small airport. 

With only a few regional carriers using this modest airport (most others choose the large and glitzy Abu Dhabi International Airport instead), passengers have a limited choice of destinations. Most flights to Al Ain Airport come from regional or neighboring countries such as India, Qatar, Pakistan and Jordan.

There is a large expansion program set for this airport, which promises to include the Al Ain Aerospace Cluster – a center for economic development, technology and innovation.

Antalya Havalimani Airport (AYT) is the closest airport to the Turkish Riviera. Just eight miles (13km) from Antalya, this airport is the best pick for holidaymakers off to spend some well-earned days basking in the sun on one of Turkey’s fantastic Mediterranean beaches.

Antalya Havalimani Airport is well-equipped for an airport of its size. Passengers can enjoy a number of shopping and duty-free facilities at the airport in both the arrivals and departures terminals. Many of the shops are open 24 hours a day and some of the sales staff are multi-lingual.

The best thing about Antalya’s airport is that it caters for visitors on a budget; loads of budget airlines operate in and out of Antalya Havalimani Airport, particularly during the summer holidays. Holidaymakers booking flights to Antalya Havalimani Airport will find cheap deals with low-cost carriers such as easyJet. There is also a range of charter flights to Antalya Airport – the perfect way to jet off for a fun-filled vacation in the sun.

Perhaps the number of two-week tourists passing through this airport every year has made it slightly less friendly and more of a money-making enterprise, however. The Antalya airport often gets bad reviews for the unfriendliness of its staff and the food prices are a little steep. However, passengers flying to Antalya Airport can take comfort in the relaxing vacation that starts once you’re out of the airport itself.

Ataturk International Airport (IST) in Istanbul claims to be the airport serving the most non-European routes in 2011. Like Istanbul, Ataturk Airport is a meeting-point between east and west. Ataturk International Airport is a major air hub for the region and is one of the top 20 busiest airports in the world.

Passengers traveling through Ataturk International Airport will be pleased to know that the airport has a great selection of duty-free shops including tobacconists, perfume shops and many name brand stores such as Hugo Boss, D&G, DKNY, Dior, Armani, Gucci, Guess and Prada. What better way to keep yourself entertained between flights or while waiting for your flight than to embark on a shopping extravaganza?

Most airlines from across the world offer flights to Istanbul. Low-cost carriers such as Atlasjet, Pegasus Airlines, IZair and Sky Airlines all offer cheap flights to Ataturk International Airport. Ataturk is also the main hub for the national carrier Turkish Airlines, which flies to destinations including Amsterdam, Birmingham, Cape Town and Chicago as well as Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore, New York, and Paris.

The airport was designed with Istanbul’s unique East-meets-West history in mind. This is particularly evident in the architecture of the building, such as the intricate mosaic tiling of the airport floors. It serves as a great introduction to the beautiful Ottoman architecture in Istanbul.

Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) (pronounced su-wan-na-poom), or Bangkok International, is located in Racha Thewa, Thailand, approximately 16 miles (26km) east of downtown Bangkok. It is the country’s busiest airport, and the third busiest in Asia, with almost 43 million passengers in 2010.

Suvarnabhumi Airport, meaning “Golden Land” in Sanskrit, features the tallest control tower in the world and the world’s largest single-building passenger terminal. Travellers can expect everything that most international airports offer - an extensive array of shopping and dining, facilities and services. Constructed almost entirely of glass, the interior of the terminal is well lit and airy. Moreover, numerous traditional artworks and fabrics draped from the walls and ceilings are a wonderful introduction to Thai culture.

Suvarnabhumi International Airport is clean, modern and well maintained and, like all Thai citizens, staff are exceptionally friendly and helpful. Expect nothing less than a world-class experience when visiting Thailand’s primary aerial gateway.      

Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) is one of the world’s largest and busiest airports, which is to be expected in the world’s most populous country. The airport was revamped and upgraded for the Olympic Games in 2008 and now it is the second-busiest international air-hub, after Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International.

Beijing Airport has three terminals all of which have a wide selection of shopping, food and beverage options to keep even the most difficult traveler entertained during stopovers or while waiting to board.

China Southern Airlines, Hainan Airlines and Air China all use Beijing Capital International Airport as a hub. There are direct flights to Beijing Capital International Airport from almost all the airports in China as well as many Asian, European, African and North and South American airports.

Passengers using Beijing’s airport are certain to notice the beauty of the airport. As with many Chinese constructions the art of Feng Shui is employed to give the building, and the business it houses, good luck and positive energy. The red color of the roof in terminal three is the Chinese color of good luck.

Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) is Israel’s busiest airport. Situated nine miles (15km) from the cosmopolitan and friendly city of Tel Aviv, the Ben Gurion airport is the perfect gateway to exploring the ancient history of the region or relaxing on Tel Aviv’s fantastic beaches. 

Two of the four bright and sunny terminals of Ben Gurion International Airport are used regularly. Terminal 1 handles mainly domestic traffic and Terminal 3 handles international flights, filled with holidaymakers eager to enjoy the endless sun, friendly Israelis, scenery and religious sights.

El Al, Israir and Arkia Airlines all use Ben Gurion as a hub, but there are also many other European and North American airlines that offer flights to Ben Gurion International Airport.

Security is paramount at Ben Gurion. Passengers can go through as many as five different security checks before reaching the check-in counter. Interestingly, most passengers report that the security procedures at Ben Gurion are far more pleasant and much smoother than those at airports across Europe and North America. The Israeli response to this compliment is “it’s all in the eyes”. So, when traversing the layers of security, be prepared for lots of eye contact.

Ben Gurion International Airport is centrally located and close to one of Israel’s most popular cities, making it the perfect gateway into a country rich with history and holiday possibilities.

Connecting you to more than 200 international destinations, with 5,000 weekly departures and arrivals, Singapore's Changi International Airport (SIN) is one of Asia's most important transport hubs.

Flights to Singapore Changi International Airport come from all over the world, including Beijing, Paris, Tokyo, London, Brisbane, Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, Sydney, Chicago and Moscow.

However, Changi Airport is far more than merely a place to kill time while waiting for your next flight. The airport's designers have ensured that even the most jaded, jet-lagged and sleep-deprived passenger will have a wonderful time while they wait to board their next plane. Featuring services and amenities that run the full gamut, from necessary conveniences (showers, Internet stations, snack shops and restaurants) to downright extravagances (spas, arcade games, putt-putt courses, a swimming pool), Changi Airport is modern, chic and visitor-friendly – exactly like Singapore itself.

The bottom line is that while no one likes long stopovers on international flights, if you happen to find yourself in Singapore's Changi Airport for a while – don't worry, it'll pass by in a blur.

Mumbai Airport, or Chhatrapati Shivaji International (BOM), is located approximately 17 miles (28 km) north of Central Mumbai. It is the city’s main airport and South Asia’s second-busiest airport, serving around 29 million passengers in 2010-2011.

Spread over two suburban areas, namely Santa Cruz and Sahar, Chhatrapati Shivaji International consists of two main terminals and an additional five sub-terminals. Terminal 1, which is reserved for domestic flights, is located on the Santa Cruz side, while Terminal 2 handles international flights and is situated on the Sahar side. Both terminals are separated on the landslide – thus requiring a 15-20 minute transfer between them – but they share the same airside facilities.  

Chhatrapati Shivaji International can get hectic at times; however, the completion of a number of renovations in the near future, including the merging of the airport’s two terminals, should see operations smoothing out across the board. For the time-being, expect long queues and a dash of organized chaos, both of which may be compensated for with a duty-free shopping spree or a tasty meal and drinks at one of Chhatrapati Shivaji International’s eateries.   

Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) is the 13th busiest airport in the world, and Taiwan’s largest airport, serving more than 25 million passengers annually. It is located in Taoyuan County, about 25 miles (40 km) south-west of Taipei.

Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport has two terminals that are linked by Skytrain people movers. Currently under construction and due for completion in 2013, the MRT rapid transit system will link both terminals as well as provide quick transport to the city of Taipei. Numerous duty-free stores are located in both terminals, as well as a host of dining and drinking venues that cater to both eastern and western palettes.

Overall, Taiwan Taoyuan International is a comfortable and clean airport with friendly and helpful staff. The terminal buildings are uniquely appealing to the eye, as numerous plants adorn public areas and natural light filters through the windows. Better yet, queues move quickly and procedures like security checks and baggage claims are a breeze.