Western Australia has emerged as the state with the worst-rated airports in Australia, with travellers complaining about slow security checks, limited facilities and frustrating baggage delays.
The state made up seven of the country’s 10 worst-rated passenger airports, according to an analysis of almost 100,000 Google reviews.
Newman Airport in the Pilbara took the prize for Australia’s worst airport, averaging just 3.10 stars from 295 reviews, with more than one in four reviews giving it just a single lonely star.
One reviewer, who frequented Newman Airport this year, wrote: “Terrible service. Slow moving security. Small bar,” with another complaining about the handling of oversized luggage, stating: “Supposed to collect from oversized luggage pick up area but no one delivered there.”
Paraburdoo Airport ranked second-worst with 3.23 stars, followed by Port Hedland International Airport on 3.37 and Learmonth Airport, which serves Exmouth and Ningaloo, on 3.38.
WA’s main aviation hub – Perth Airport – ranked eighth with 3.59 stars, and took home the prize for being the lowest-rated capital city airport in Australia, with crowded toilets, confusing corridors and staffing levels among the complaints.
Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport and Broome International Airport followed, coming in at number nine and ten, respectively.
Among Australia’s ten best-rated airports, WA did not even rank once.
SA’s Port Lincoln Airport was named the country’s highest-rated, averaging 4.62 stars from 131 reviews, closely followed by Mount Gambier Airport, also in South Australia, with 4.61 stars.
New South Wales was crowned the best state in Australia for aviation travel, with four NSW airports being ranked within the top ten.
Positive reviews of the highest-rated airports frequently praised cleanliness, friendly staff and the convenience of regional travel.
The analysis conducted by SEO Backlinks, examined Google Maps listings for 53 Australian passenger airports with at least 100 reviews, covering a total of 99,664 reviews.
See the full list of the top ten best and worst ranked airport below:
WORST
- Newman Airport (WA) 3.10 stars
- Paraburdoo Airport (WA) 3.23 stars
- Port Hedland International Airport (WA) 3.37 stars
- Learmonth Airport (WA) 3.38 stars
- Moranbah Airport (QLD) 3.45 stars
- Sunshine Coast Airport (QLD) 3.52 stars
- Mackay Airport (QLD) 3.58 stars
- Perth Airport (WA) 3.59 stars
- Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport (WA) 3.60 stars
- Broome International Airport (WA) 3.65 stars
BEST
- Port Lincoln Airport (SA) 4.62 stars
- Mount Gambier Airport (SA) 4.61 stars
- Armidale Regional Airport (NSW) 4.45 stars
- Bendigo Airport (VIC) 4.42 stars
- Albury Airport (NSW) 4.41 stars
- Devonport Airport (TAS) 4.37 stars
- Dubbo Regional Airport (NSW) 4.35 stars
- Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport (QLD) 4.26 stars
- Bundaberg Regional Airport (QLD) 4.25 stars
- Orange Regional Airport (NSW) 4.22 stars