Qatar’s new airport has been voted the sixth best in the world, according to a recent survey by Conde Nast Traveller readers.

This is the first time Hamad International Airport, which opened last year, has made the UK lifestyle travel magazine’s shortlist.

Readers based the rankings on factors such as customer satisfaction, airport access, airport retail, security and safety.

For the fifth time in 10 years, Singapore’s Changi Airport came in first, followed by Heathrow Terminal 5 in London, Hong Kong International Airport and Mumbai Airport.

HIA came just behind Dubai International, which ranked fifth and was hailed for its shopping opportunities.

Qatar’s new airport also beat out Sydney Airport (8th), Incheon International Airport in Seoul (9th) and Schipol in Amsterdam, which came in 10th.

In a statement, HIA said:

“Within less than a year of commencing operations, HIA has already won several prestigious awards including three Skytrax 2015 awards at the Skytrax Airport Award Ceremony in recognition of its outstanding performance and services including the Best Airport in the Middle East award. HIA also won the ‘Strategic Project of the Year’ award at the 2015 Global Projects of the Year awards ceremony organised by CG/LA Infrastructure.”

Upgrade

HIA soft-launched at the end of April 2014 after years of project delays.

The $15.5 billion airport, which has 80 retail outlets and 30 cafes and restaurants, has been deemed by many travelers to be a significant upgrade from the overcrowded Doha International Airport, which closed when HIA fully opened in May 2014.

Plans are now underway to expand HIA to accommodate some 50 million travelers a year, as Doha becomes an increasingly popular transit hub.

According to Akbar Al Baker, CEO of airport operator Qatar Airways, the expansion will be completed within the next three years.

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