Money
These are the top 5 airports flying high in 2021
The ratings are in and according to aviation enthusiasts, the following airports have surpassed the mark with flying colours.
The results on the world’s best airports are in and to the surprise of many, they’re not what we expected.
Singapore’s Changi Airport, renowned for its hustle and bustle of international cargo and passenger traffic, and beautiful interior designs, took the top spot for eight years in a row.
But this year, the South East Asian airport has been dethroned in an unforeseen twist.
1st Place: Doha Hamad Airport
Ranking first in the 2021 Skytrax World Airport Awards is Doha Hamad, also known as Qatari Hub.
Doha Hamad swapped places with Changi this year, after placing third in the 2020 report.
Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, Chief Operating Officer at Hamad International Airport (HIA), says the airport is honoured to be crowned the World’s Best Airport of 2021.
“This is a truly remarkable achievement for HIA and the State of Qatar, and an endorsement from our travellers for our commitment to service excellence,” Al-Meer says.
“As we look towards the future, HIA remains devoted to boosting our efforts in providing the best airport experience to all our passengers.”
The Qatari Hub also won the titles of Best Airport in the Middle East, the World’s Best Airport in the 25 to 35 million Passenger category, and the Best Airport Staff in the Middle East
2nd Place: Tokyo Haneda Airport
Holding position in second place for another year is Tokyo’s Haneda Airport.
It’s one of the Japanese capital’s two major airports and is home to Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways.
More recently, the Japanese airport saw the arrival and departure of several athletes for 2020s Tokyo Olympic games.
In a newly introduced category, Tokyo Haneda Airport was awarded a 5-star COVID-19 Airport Safety Rating.
This award follows their success in meeting very high standards of hygiene and safety protocols put in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus during their preparation for the Olympics.
Qatar’s airport also received the same award in 2020, being the first airport in the Middle East and Asia to receive the 5-star rating.
3rd Place: Singapore Changi Airport
Despite falling two places from the top, Singapore’s Changi Airport still finds itself in the top five.
This year, the eight-time winner was named the World’s Best Airport in the 10 to 15 million Passenger category and took the awards for the World’s Best Airport Staff and the Best Airport Staff in Asia.
While it may come to the disappointment of fans who regularly praise the airport for it’s ease, quality food and beverage options and overall comfort, Changi still sits high in third place as one of the most beautiful airports in the world.
4th Place: Seoul Incheon Airport
Sitting comfortably in fourth place is Incheon International Airport in South Korea.
One of the largest and busiest airports in the world, Incheon International seems like something from Futurama.
The airport thrives off delivering the ultimate experience for their passengers, providing plenty of space to relax, unwind and to get lost in Seoul’s culture.
5th Place: Tokyo Narita Airport
Tokyo is fortunate enough to see both of it’s airports placed in the top 5 with Tokyo Narita International Airport earning a spot this year.
Having placed seventh in 2020, the airport located in the capital’s east advanced two steps higher to make it to fifth place.
While they may have not received the 5-star COVID-19 Airport Safety Rating like their Haneda counterpart, Narita International Airport is applauded for their high health and hygiene standards and continuous efforts to keep everyone safe during the pandemic.
Results for the 2021 Skytrax World Airport Awards are obtained from the Annual Airport Customer Survey for the Passenger’s Choice Awards with data collected between August 2020 and July 2021.
Travellers are to vote for their favourite or best airport experiences, with many taking the COVID-19 pandemic into consideration this year.
For the full list of the World’s Top 100 Airports for 2021 and more airline awards, head to Skytrax’s website.
Written by Rebecca Borg
Money
Inflation rise reduces chances of Reserve Bank rate cut
Inflation spikes, drastically reducing chances of a Reserve Bank rate cut amid economic pressures and rising costs
Inflation spikes, drastically reducing chances of a Reserve Bank rate cut amid economic pressures and rising costs
– Rate cut likelihood by the Reserve Bank has decreased due to a rise in annual inflation to 3.2 per cent.
– Significant price increases in housing, recreation, and transport are raising concerns for the Reserve Bank.
The likelihood of a rate cut by the Reserve Bank has decreased significantly after a surge in annual inflation.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that inflation for the year ending September rose to 3.2 per cent, reflecting a 1.1 per cent increase.
Trimmed mean inflation, a crucial measure for the Reserve Bank, was recorded at 1 per cent for the quarter and 3 per cent for the year. The bank anticipates inflation to reach 3 per cent by year-end, while trimmed mean inflation is expected to slightly decrease.
The quarterly rise of 1.3 per cent in September exceeded expectations. Governor Bullock noted that a deviation from the Reserve Bank’s projections could have material implications.
Financial markets reacted promptly, with the Australian dollar rising against the US dollar, while the ASX200 index fell.
The most significant price increases were observed in housing, recreation, and transport, indicating widespread price pressures that concern the Reserve Bank.
Despite the unexpected inflation rise, some economists believe the Reserve Bank may still consider rate cuts in December, viewing current price spikes as temporary due to the winding back of subsidies.
Economic Pressures
Broad-based economic pressures suggest that the Reserve Bank may not reduce interest rates at its upcoming meeting. Analysts highlight the need for ongoing support for households facing cost-of-living challenges.
Money
Wall Street hits record highs on low inflation
Wall Street hits record highs on cool inflation and strong earnings ahead of key Federal Reserve interest rate decision
Wall Street hits record highs on cool inflation and strong earnings ahead of key Federal Reserve interest rate decision
– U.S. stocks rose to record highs on Friday due to lower inflation and strong corporate earnings.
– Key earnings reports from major companies are expected next week, influencing market trends.
The Labor Department reported that the Consumer Price Index was slightly cooler than analysts’ predictions, easing concerns about inflation impacts from tariffs. This development suggests a likely interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve at its upcoming meeting.
Ryan Detrick from Carson Group noted the positive inflation news may facilitate forthcoming Fed rate cuts. Despite the ongoing government shutdown affecting data releases, this CPI report provided much-needed clarity.
Earnings reports are continuing, with 143 S&P 500 companies having reported results. Growth expectations for third-quarter earnings have risen to 10.4%. Detrick indicated a strong opening to the earnings season with a significant percentage of companies exceeding expectations.
This coming week, key earnings will be reported from Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, and Apple, alongside industrial companies like Caterpillar and Boeing.
The Dow rose 472.51 points to 47,207.12. The S&P 500 increased by 53.25 points to 6,791.69, while the Nasdaq gained 263.07 points, reaching 23,204.87.
Alphabet gained 2.7% following a deal expansion with Anthropic. Coinbase saw a 9.8% increase from a JPMorgan upgrade. In contrast, Deckers Outdoor’s shares fell 15.2% after lowering sales forecasts.
Market Trends
Advancing stocks on the NYSE outnumbered decliners by 2.18 to 1. The S&P 500 had 34 new highs, with the Nasdaq recording 124.
Trading volume was 19.04 billion shares, lower than the average of the past 20 days.
Money
US stocks face tests from Tesla, Netflix earnings
US markets brace for Tesla and Netflix earnings amid rising volatility and delayed inflation data
US markets brace for Tesla and Netflix earnings amid rising volatility and delayed inflation data
– Earnings reports from Tesla and Netflix might affect U.S. stock performance next week amid high inflation concerns.
– Increased market volatility arises from U.S.-China trade tensions and fewer S&P 500 stocks in an uptrend.
The S&P 500 entered its fourth year of growth amidst these fluctuations, having previously experienced a period of calm. Experts suggest market risks are intensifying as valuations reach peak levels.
Market Volatility
Concerns regarding U.S.-China trade relations escalated last week when the U.S. threatened to raise tariffs by November 1 over China’s rare-earth export policies. President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with President Xi Jinping in two weeks to discuss these issues.
Despite these challenges, major stock indexes gained ground over the week, with the S&P 500 up 13.3% year-to-date. However, a noticeable decline in the number of S&P 500 stocks in an uptrend raises caution among investors about underlying market weaknesses.
The upcoming third-quarter earnings will be closely monitored, especially as the government shutdown halts economic data releases. Companies like Procter & Gamble, Coca-Cola, RTX, and IBM are due to report. The delayed U.S. consumer price index is also expected to provide crucial insights ahead of the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy meeting on October 28-29.
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