<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR>June 13, 2009
EASY ACCESS IS KEY
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>Changi still king
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- show image if available --></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I REFER to yesterday's article, 'Why Incheon is world's best airport'. While it is true that both Incheon and Hong Kong airports, which came first and second in the survey, have great facilities as they are relatively new, one cannot look at just the inside of an airport when judging which is best.
In this day and age, an airport's proximity to the town is an important factor. Incheon scores badly on that - there is no rail link, and passengers need to take expensive taxis or buses on the 90-minute ride to the central business district.
Hong Kong fares somewhat better with the airport express that takes just under half an hour to reach Hong Kong station, where taxis are waiting to complete the journey.
But for the traveller who needs to make best use of his work time, or rush to a meeting right after arrival, nothing can beat Changi. Ample public transport connections, ample taxis and a quick 15- to 20-minute drive to Shenton Way are unbeaten in Asia.
On top of that, the East Coast Parkway offers a manicured, scenic route that shows the Singapore brand from its best side and makes a great first impression.
So when comparing airports, just gauging the insides of buildings will not do. Jorg Dietzel
EASY ACCESS IS KEY
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>Changi still king
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- show image if available --></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I REFER to yesterday's article, 'Why Incheon is world's best airport'. While it is true that both Incheon and Hong Kong airports, which came first and second in the survey, have great facilities as they are relatively new, one cannot look at just the inside of an airport when judging which is best.
In this day and age, an airport's proximity to the town is an important factor. Incheon scores badly on that - there is no rail link, and passengers need to take expensive taxis or buses on the 90-minute ride to the central business district.
Hong Kong fares somewhat better with the airport express that takes just under half an hour to reach Hong Kong station, where taxis are waiting to complete the journey.
But for the traveller who needs to make best use of his work time, or rush to a meeting right after arrival, nothing can beat Changi. Ample public transport connections, ample taxis and a quick 15- to 20-minute drive to Shenton Way are unbeaten in Asia.
On top of that, the East Coast Parkway offers a manicured, scenic route that shows the Singapore brand from its best side and makes a great first impression.
So when comparing airports, just gauging the insides of buildings will not do. Jorg Dietzel
