NDTV

Mumbai, May 18: A few years ago, it was impossible to think of any airport in the country, let alone the Mumbai airport on the list of world-class airports. But that's exactly what's happened.

The Mumbai international airport has been voted the best in the country in a recent survey by the Airport International council - a body of airport operators who collectively run over 1600 airports worldwide.

Shorter check in queues, cleaner toilets, trolleys that work and a great retail experience has put Mumbai on the list though it still needs to work just a little more to make the final cut.

Passengers at 100 airports across the world were asked to rate airports, among other things, on the basis of service, ambience and navigational aids within the terminals.

Mumbai airport scored 3.57 out of 5 - just a little below the industry average of 3.83.

While Mumbai came out on top, Delhi followed at a distant 2.6.

In all, 21 Asian airports were surveyed. Among them, Kuala Lumpur came out the clear winner.

Mumbai airport though still has its challenges like constrained operating space, security threat posed by shanties that surround it and continuously growing traffic.

But for now it can enjoy its newfound status.