TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport said Thursday it was ranked 43rd in this year’s global best airports by Skytrax.

Skytrax, founded in 1989 and based in the UK, is an international air transport rating organization. It provides quality audits, ratings, and certifications to airlines and airports worldwide.

The airport climbed 23 spots from last year’s ranking. It also placed sixth among airports handling 40 to 50 million passengers annually and earned high marks for its baggage handling, immigration efficiency, staff service, overall cleanliness, and restroom comfort, per CNA.

The airport said that it earned top ranking in the baggage handling service this year, up from eighth place last year. It added that passengers finishing check-in via the airport app 24 to 48 hours before departure and obtaining a boarding pass QR code can go to the terminal for self-service baggage drop-off.

The airport said it will continue to streamline customs, immigration, quarantine, and security screening processes. It also noted that older e-gates in its two terminals were removed, and 71 new e-gates began operation last year.

The airport’s Terminal 3 north concourse is set to open by the end of this year. Until all Terminal 3 facilities are completed, departing passengers using the concourse will check in and clear immigration at Terminal 2, while arriving passengers will collect their baggage at Terminal 2 after disembarking.

The design of the concourse will feature spacious waiting areas with floor-to-ceiling windows. The airport said the concourse will be equipped with eight contact gates capable of handling twin-aisle aircraft and is expected to reduce the use of apron shuttle buses by up to 70%.

Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport Corporation Chair Yang Wei-fuu (楊偉甫) said the airport will continue improving its management by using data and striving to become a world-class airport. He added the Skytrax placing is due to the efforts of the airport’s 35,000 staff members.