Most Beautiful Airport 2025 awarded to Yantai Penglai Terminal 2 by Prix Versailles for its stunning architecture and sustainable design. Know key takeaways for UPSC, SSC & other exams.
Yantai Penglai International Airport Terminal 2 Crowned the World’s Most Beautiful Airport of 2025
In a remarkable announcement by the prestigious Prix Versailles International Architecture Awards held in July 2025, Yantai Penglai International Airport’s Terminal 2 in China has been honored as the World’s Most Beautiful Airport of 2025. This architectural marvel, designed in harmony with the coastal landscape of the Shandong Peninsula, features an innovative E‑shaped layout, a sweeping glazed diagrid dome, and interiors inspired by maritime motifs that evoke the historic Maritime Silk Road
Terminal 2 spans over 167,000 m², designed to optimise passenger flow while blending seamlessly with the existing terrain. A central atrium topped by a radiating dome floods the space with natural light, complemented by curved interiors that echo the flowing hulls of ships
Following Yantai, Marseille Provence Airport Terminal 1 in France secured the second spot. Its 22,000 m² extension, designed by Foster + Partners, features a 22‑meter high hall built with 70% recycled steel, skylights, polished aluminium, and wood‑lined zones that recall Marseille’s historic Old Port
The third position goes to the Arrivals Terminal at Roland Garros Airport on Réunion Island—widely celebrated as the first tropical bioclimatic airport to use natural ventilation, climate‑responsive shutter systems, native vegetation, and volcanic stone interiors to reflect local environment and culture
Rounding out the list are four additional terminals:
- Kansai International Airport Terminal 1, Japan—with expanded capacity, natural materials, and smart queuing.
- Portland International Airport Main Terminal, USA—featuring a forest‑inspired biophilic design and locally sourced timber.
- San Francisco International Airport Terminal 1, USA—with reduced carbon footprint and rich cultural artistry.
- One more U.S. terminal among the six, showcasing sustainability and design excellence
Notably, Singapore’s Changi Airport, despite its long-standing reputation for design and service excellence, was absent from this year’s list of six beloved terminals—even as it retained its acclaim in Skytrax awards as the World’s Best Airport in other rankings
Why This News Is Important
Architectural & Design Trends
The recognition highlights the global shift in airport architecture: prioritising not only functionality but also environmental sustainability, cultural identity, and aesthetic innovation. Airports are increasingly viewed as living spaces meant to elevate the traveler experience.
Sustainability & Bioclimatic Engineering
Terminals like Yantai and Réunion are benchmarks in green building innovation, incorporating adaptive natural ventilation, recycled materials, and energy-efficient lighting—crucial for exams focussing on sustainable infrastructure.
China’s Emerging Influence
Yantai’s new Terminal 2 signals China’s growing capacity to lead in international design prominence, raising the bar for global infrastructure projects in public facilities.
Competition with Established Hubs
The omission of Changi—a long-time favourite in prestige rankings—underscores how innovative newcomers can disrupt established reputations and set new standards for beauty and functionality.
Relevance for Exam Aspirants
For students preparing for government recruitment exams (civil services, defence, railways, banking, teaching), this story covers topics such as urban planning, environmental architecture, global infrastructure, and international awards—areas frequently tested in current affairs and general studies.
Historical Context: Evolution of Airport Design Awards
Since its inception in 2015, the Prix Versailles has celebrated exceptional architectural achievements across categories including airports, sports venues, and heritage sites. Chosen annually at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, the Prix recognizes global excellence in both form and function. Past winners include Zayed International Airport (Abu Dhabi)—crowned the Most Beautiful Airport in 2024—with its X-shaped layout and artful integration of Islamic design
Changi has long dominated other aviation awards such as Skytrax, winning the World’s Best Airport Award for the thirteenth time in 2025, and earning accolades for dining, washrooms, and service quality However, the Prix Versailles specifically emphasises architectural beauty and sustainable engineering, where recent developments from China and France have set new global benchmarks.
Over the past decade, airports have transformed into symbols of national identity and technological prowess—showcasing biophilic design, renewable materials, climate-responsive structures, and passenger-centric layouts, extending well beyond mere transit efficiency.
Key Takeaways from Yantai Penglai International Airport Terminal 2
| Serial No. | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | Terminal 2 of Yantai Penglai Airport was named the most beautiful airport of 2025 by Prix Versailles. |
| 2 | The terminal’s E-shaped coastal design, glazed dome, and maritime motifs reflect local geography and cultural heritage. |
| 3 | Eco‑friendly design, flexible operational layout, and natural light optimisation were key features. |
| 4 | Marseille Provence Airport and Roland Garros Airport (Réunion) followed in 2nd and 3rd places, demonstrating global architectural diversity. |
| 5 | Singapore’s Changi Airport was not on the 2025 Prix Versailles list, showing how design awards focus on different criteria than operational rankings. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which airport was named the World’s Most Beautiful Airport in 2025?
The title was awarded to Terminal 2 of Yantai Penglai International Airport in China by the Prix Versailles.
2. What architectural elements contributed to Yantai Airport’s recognition?
Its E-shaped layout, glazed diagrid dome, maritime-inspired interiors, and environmentally responsive design played a key role.
3. Which organization gives the award for the World’s Most Beautiful Airport?
The Prix Versailles, a prestigious global architecture award presented at UNESCO headquarters in Paris.
4. What makes the Roland Garros Airport on Réunion Island unique?
It is the first tropical bioclimatic airport, featuring natural ventilation, native vegetation, and climate-responsive design.
5. Why is Changi Airport’s absence from the 2025 list notable?
Despite being a multiple-time Skytrax winner for the World’s Best Airport, Changi did not make the Prix Versailles 2025 list, highlighting different evaluation criteria focused on design over service.
6. Which Indian airports have won international design recognition?
In past years, airports like Delhi’s IGI T3 and Mumbai T2 have been recognized for innovation and design, but none were listed in the 2025 Prix Versailles rankings.
7. What is biophilic design in airport architecture?
It’s a sustainable design approach that incorporates natural elements like light, vegetation, and organic shapes to enhance well-being and reduce environmental impact.
8. What country is Roland Garros Airport located in?
It is located on Réunion Island, a French overseas department in the Indian Ocean.
9. What is the importance of Prix Versailles awards in global infrastructure?
They highlight excellence in aesthetics, sustainability, and functionality in public spaces such as airports, museums, and hotels.
10. How can this topic be relevant to government exam preparation?
This topic aligns with General Awareness, Environment & Ecology, Current Events, and Infrastructure Development, which are common in exams like UPSC, SSC, and Banking.
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