TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport ranked 24th globally in the 2026 World Airport Awards released by Skytrax, marking a rise of about 20 places and highlighting improvements in service quality.
The annual awards, often dubbed the “Oscars of the aviation industry,” were announced at a ceremony in London on Wednesday. Taoyuan Airport also retained its title as the world’s best airport for baggage handling and ranked third globally among airports handling 20–30 million passengers annually, per UDN.
The airport also placed in all 10 evaluated categories. It ranked third for most improved airport, sixth for cleanest airport and best airport staff, seventh for best immigration services, eighth for best airport restrooms, ninth for best airport in Asia, and 10th for both best family-friendly airport and best airport shopping.
The latter two categories marked Taoyuan Airport’s first entry into the global top 10, reflecting gains in overall passenger experience and commercial services.
Skytrax CEO Edward Plaisted said baggage handling represents the “last mile” of a journey and is one of the most memorable aspects for travelers. He said Taoyuan Airport’s continued strength in this area contributed to its sharp rise in the overall rankings and reflects strong global traveler confidence.
Taoyuan International Airport Corporation Chair Yang Wei-fu (楊偉甫) said the recognition reflects the efforts of around 35,000 airport staff. He attributed improvements in baggage handling to close coordination between airlines and ground services, as well as the introduction of data-driven management systems in recent years.
Looking ahead, Yang said the completion of the North Concourse of Terminal 3 by the end of 2025 will further enhance the airport’s service capacity and provide passengers with a more modern travel experience.
In the airline category, Starlux Airlines ranked fifth globally in the World’s Best Airline category, the highest placement ever achieved by a Taiwanese carrier. The airline also won the award for the world’s best in-flight catering.
Starlux CEO Chai Chien-hua (翟健華) said the recognition reflects the company’s focus on detail and its boutique airline strategy, emphasizing cabin design, catering, and service quality.
AirlineRatings CEO Sharon Peterson said Starlux represents a new generation of airlines, noting its young fleet and consistently high standards across cabin comfort, service, and overall passenger experience.
The airline is continuing to expand, with plans to grow its fleet to 43 aircraft by the end of the year. Its network currently includes 31 cities and 37 routes, with new services to Prague and Busan scheduled to launch in August.
