Advertisement

Geneva airport hits back at 'world's worst' claims

George Mills
George Mills - [email protected]
Geneva airport hits back at 'world's worst' claims
Geneva Airport offers flights to 130 destinations but has been criticized over its infrastructure. Photo: AFP

Authorities at Geneva's Cointrin airport have come out on the front foot after the facility was named one of the five worst in the world by a UK newspaper.

Advertisement

The verdict wasn’t pretty: Writing in UK daily The Independent, travel journalist Simon Calder put Geneva Airport alongside facilities including Jomo Kenyatta Airport in Nairobi and Rome's embattled Fiumicino facility.

"Forget the stereotype of Swiss efficiency: the rapid growth of passenger numbers at the British traveller’s key Alpine airport has not been matched by much-needed investment," said Calder in his piece.

Geneva daily the Tribune de Geneve was quick to relay the bad news to its readers, many of whom proved keen to vent their own frustrations with the airport.

Among those readers' chief criticisms were problems with car access, congestion at the airport’s security queues and the lack of lifts.

But others came to the airport’s defence noting it was "clean" and "modern" and praising its easy access to public transport.

The airport itself hasn’t remained silent either.

Responding to the Independent, authorities had the following to say in a press statement: "Built in 1920, Geneva Airport is one of the oldest in Europe. Today, with a single runaway, we operate in a very restricted 340-hectare space between the French border and a freeway.

"Despite these constraints, we now have 55 airlines operating services to 130 destinations – the best connectivity in Europe in relation to the size of the city. Last year, we welcomed more than 15 million passengers."

And for all of those critics waiting to take aim at Geneva airport, it should not be forgotten that very few airports in the world offer incoming passengers free transport to the city centre on some of the most efficient public transport in the world.  

What do you think of Geneva airport? Tell us in the comments section below.

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also