Claim being Checked:
Did Kenneth Kaunda International Airport Beat any Others to be Awarded Best Airport in Africa?
Background:
On Wednesday 2nd November 2022 a news story was published to the effect that Lusaka’s Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) had been awarded the accolade of the best Airport in Africa by the World Luxury Travel Awards.
A social media debate ensued with citizens divided between celebrating and questioning how KKIA was awarded the top prize ahead of other airports which they considered to be better facilities. Those in support of the award argued that KKIA was indeed better than other airports while others insisted that it was not.
Verification Procedure:
Step 1: The ACA Fact-checking Unit, analysed the website of the World Luxury Travel Awards to check for criteria of awards and participating airports from Africa.
Step 2: The Unit also analysed information from the Skytrax Awards another aviation awards rating organisation which holds similar awards.
Findings:
According to their website, The World Luxury Travel Awards, an initiative based in Turkey (Türkiye) was set up in 2019, “to be the pinnacle of achievement for the travel industry, offering international recognition as voted for by guests, travellers, and industry players alike. International travellers vote each year, during a four-week period to select the winners. Travel organisations have the opportunity to participate in the World Luxury Travel Awards by entering the awards to highlight and draw attention to their unique selling points with regards to travel destinations, facilities or services offered.”
To participate in the awards, organisations complete a form on the website available here: https://www.theworldluxurytravelawards.com/register/?step=1
Participating Airports:
Information on the awards website showed that two airports, KKIA and İGA Istanbul Airport from Turkey, the home nation of the awards participated in the category of ‘Best Airport’ for their respective continents, Europe, and Africa.
Other Awards:
The Skytrax awards have been held every year since 1999. In 2022 the Skytrax Awards included 3 African Airports in their Best 100 Airports in the World list. All 3 are from South Africa with Cape Town International Airport ranked at number 49, King Shaka International Airport in Durban at position 59 and O.R Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg ranked number 71 in the world.
Conclusion: KKIA was the only airport that participated in the awards and did not, therefore, beat any other airport to win the award.
Sources: www.theworldluxurytravelawards.com and https://www.airlinequality.com/
ACA Fact Checking Unit: Building a Questioning Public