Heathrow has been named as the ‘World’s Best Airport for Shopping’ for a third time at this year’s World Airport Awards, held yesterday (Thursday 19th April) at the Passenger Terminal EXPO 2012 in Vienna.

 

The awards were a double success for the UK’s hub airport as Terminal 5 was also named the world’s Best Airport Terminal following votes by airport passengers from across the globe.

 

The Skytrax 2011/12 World Airport Survey is a global independent study of airport passenger satisfaction, assessing customer service and facilities across 388 airports in 2012.

 

[Heathrow T5]

 

Heathrow has over 52,000 square metres of retail space and more than 340 retail and catering outlets in total offering a wide range of premium brands and high street favourites including Paul Smith, Mulberry, Harrods, Ralph Lauren and Kurt Geiger.

 

RECORD-BREAKING YEAR

2011 saw openings by Miu Miu and Spanish chain Zara – which opened its first ever UK airport store in Terminal 3. Pop-ups from Jack Wills and Ted Baker followed in Terminal 5 in late 2011/early 2012.

 

2011 was a record breaking year for Heathrow retailers who enjoyed an 8.8% growth in gross turnover led by a boom in luxury spending from passengers using the UK’s only hub airport to connect from emerging markets.

 

According to the airport operator, Heathrow has the highest retail sales of any airport in the world ahead of Incheon airport in South Korea. Gross retail sales at Heathrow increased again in 2011 to £1.7bn/USD $2.6bn (2010: £1.5bn/USD $2.4bn), while Net Retail Income per passenger increased by 5.3 per cent to £4.35 (2010: £4.13).

 

Commercial Director at Heathrow, John Holland-Kaye said: “We are thrilled that Heathrow has been rewarded for a third time at the prestigious World Airport Awards. Terminal 5 is a great showcase of our vision of Heathrow’s future and the level of passenger experience we are working to deliver right across our airport.

 

“Together with a shopping experience which responds to our customer’s demands, we are proud that our work towards becoming Europe’s hub of choice is being recognised by the most important judge, our passengers.”